Google's VoIP could help businesses' costs and communications 

Tuesday, August 9th 2011 by Catherine Ferguson

 

Google has announced plans to expand its audio and video calling via its VoIP phone system before challenging Skype as the leading service provider.

 

The service offers calling from Gmail to any mobile or landline in 38 languages to over 150 destinations at increasingly competitive rates. 

 

It can be used by members of the public and households but those who use VoIP for business could also benefit from increased range and cheaper calls. Video can also be augmented with the audio, a development for conference calls and virtual meetings. 

 

It could also have a positive effect for consumers of traditional telecommunications companies because as Google and Skype both compete for customers, the price of their services should drop. Also, as the two VoIP giants battle for customers, both services will try to outdo each other and lead to increased quality of product. 

 

The Gmail-based calls provider will be further rolled out outside of the US, and users will be able to purchase credit in four different currencies 13 euro, British pound, US dollar and Canadian dollar. It will also offer access to the service in 38 different languages. 

 

Speaking in the Google blog, Pierre Lebeau, product manager of the Gmail Team, said: "We 19re always trying to make it easier for people to connect 14whether that means sending an email, chatting or video chatting, you can reach the people you care about from right inside Gmail. 

 

"Last year, we made it possible for those of you in the US to call any mobile phone or landline directly from Gmail and starting today, we are making this available to many more of you who use Gmail outside the US by offering calling in 38 new languages."

 

Google recently took on the services of Global IP Solutions and it is thought that with them on board, Google will look to incorporate real time communications into its Google chrome web browser.

 

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