Mac2Phone brings VOIP to 'the rest of us'


US telecoms and network specialist Remwave has launched Mac2Phone, an IP-based telephony service for X.O or higher.

Remwave CEO Nikolai Manek told MacworldUK "With Mac2Phone.com we've launched our support and commitment to the OS X platform. As a perfect system for Java applications we see huge opportunities in developing for it."

The solution integrates modern voice-over-IP (VOIP) telephony solutions, such as the rapidly emerging SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and H.323 protocols.

Manek added, "Now the Mac community can make free phone calls between Macs running OS X or to PCs running the Buddyphone software".

Industry observers believe Mac2Phone is the closest yet to the long-rumoured iPhone solution for enabling VOIP telephony on Macs. Remwave is a well-established global Internet telephony service provider with clients among cable and telecommunications companies worldwide.

Two versions of Remwave's Java application are available -- Mac2Phone Basic is the freeware version (you will need register and prepare a minimum of $5 before using the app), while Mac2Phone Pro ($19.95) offers "additional" functionality.

Editor's note: I've downloaded the app, but need to get a microphone that's compatible with my Griffin iMac. Once that happens, Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll have a short review of Mac2Phone.

I've literally been waiting years for a truly useable VOIP solution so I can stop paying the local telephone monopoly $100+ every month. Their service has improved greatly over the years as has line quality. However, I'm firmly of the opinion that purchasing ADSL service (about $35 a month) should entitle me to free long distance.