[qi:033] mig33, a combination mobile instant messenger, chat rooms and international calling card service based in Burlingame, CA., says signed up six million cell phone users in 200 countries. The service is particularly popular in countries like Bangladesh where international long distance rates are high. Unlike other VoIP services, mig33 works on even the most basic phones, and don’t require a Wi-Fi connection for the calls.
mig33 was one of the eTel/GigaOM LaunchPad companies, and since then has raised $10 million in venture backing from Accel Partners and RedPoint Ventures. It has relocated from Australia to the San Francisco . Other mobile callback/calling type services that offer lower cost minutes include Jajah and Cellity.
It’s great to see some more Australian startups going strongly! It seems that moving to Silicon Valley is the way to go… I know that a fair few successful oz startups tend to at least open an office over there, and it seems to make a big difference.
Have you tried Talkety from your mobile. mig33 appears to need a java enabled phone.
-Arun
Question:
It may have 6 million downloads, but how many users are really active? Will carriers make a decision to block this service due to its tariff avoidance nature? It would be quite easy to block there IP’s off!
Another option for people without java enabled phones (or people like me who have java enabled phones but dont pay the $20/month for internet service) is jaxtr. Works with any phone, landline or mobile and they have local direct to dial numbers now in 50+ countries.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2041687520070723
I have found that migg33 is the best chat service that I have ever had the pleasure to be part of. KEEP IT UP GUYS!!!!!
it is really fine.though i know a little,i believe it will help us to be more connected with world.thanks.
i used mig33 just 4 test,, but now i don’t have sleep till 3:00 am each nite,,, this is mig33… u can also add me( aras_boy@mig33.com)
Mig33 is a wonderfull application, and I’ve been using it for years. But one has to wonder how secure this application really is, when you see how easy it is for users to download software which allowes them to kick and flood users in the chatrooms, as well as hack their usernames… Just how save are your credits?? And to use the kicking software, you need at least 7-10 usernames. I’ve seen a few with over a 100 different usernames. So just how accurate is their claim of 6 million users?