Google(talks) to PSTN
Google Talk is making new friends with the PSTN networks. Splinter.NET has launched a new service that allows GTalk users to make calls to old fashioned phones and mobile networks from their client. In other words, the kind of functionality that already exists in Yahoo, MSN and AOL clients. The set-up for this service is pretty simple. Add user service@splinter.net, and you get a tiny credit from the company, and you can fill up the account using PayPal, and then send a message – call 212.555.xxxx. The system calls back you PC and you are connected. This seems pretty simple, though not as good as click to call in say AOL or MSN.
It is sort of a drag that Splinter GTalk didn’t place an average cost rate on their website. It would have eased shopping for a low-cost VoIP service. But I suppose that so far I am happy with Skype 🙂
I am sitting at a cafe so don’t want to try this but will do this shortly when I get to a closed environment and post the rates information etc.
Om, is this via formal partnership with Google, or just someone taking advantage of Google’s use of open standards? If the second, I think this is a more major story than you appear to be giving it credit for- presumably Google chose jabber as the base technology behind google talk in order to benefit from network effects around open standards, and this is the first example of that I’ve seen (if it is in fact the case.)
Gtalk2VoIP has been around for a while offering the same type of service, they also support MSN Live, and Voice calling between platforms as well as DID and SIP peering etc.
http://www.gtalk2voip.com/
OK, the FCC requires e911 to all calls that hit the PSTN. Anyone else see a problem? How about CALEA?
Yeah I use gtalk2voip add they have been around longer makes we wonder if the posts here aren’t paid for and even gtalk2voip talks with windows live and any sip URI and vice versa
I’m sure this service is a private label (OEM)service from gtalk2voip.com. when you click service@splinter.net to call,you will see gtalk2voip.com as powered by gtalk2voip.com
Splinter didnt realize this or have overlooked that customers will see this.