The Localphone Blog

We’ve spent a great deal of time listening to our customers’ feedback; finding out what services you would like to use, and what features could improve the Localphone website. If you haven’t noticed already, I’m pleased to announce that we have re-launched our website adding a whole host of new services.

The best way to explore our new features is to visit Localphone.com and look around, but here are some of the changes we’re most proud of…

Localphone Incoming Numbers

We can now provide you with your very own phone numbers in a growing list of countries. You can choose to forward Incoming Numbers to your landline or mobile, to a Localphone VoIP account (see below), or just let it go to your free Localphone Voicemail.

For example, if you live in the UK but have family in Australia, you could buy an Incoming Number in Sydney and forward it to your UK mobile. When somebody dials it you’ll receive the call on your mobile, and you’ll only be charged our standard rate to the UK. To the caller it will just appear to be a normal local landline number.

Get an Incoming Number wherever your friends and family live, and no matter where you go in the world you’ll always be just a local call away from your loved ones.

Localphone Incoming Numbers

Localphone VoIP

Localphone VoIP lets you make and receive cheap international calls over the Internet. It’s free to upgrade, and once you do you’ll be able to call from your PC or laptop, VoIP phone, or many modern mobiles that are VoIP-enabled.

We’ve made VoIP easy and fast to set up and it’s perfect for users where we don’t have local access numbers, or if you don’t want to use up your mobile contract’s free minutes.

Don’t worry—if you upgrade to VoIP you can still use our fantastic Calling Card and Direct Dial options. We want to give you the power to choose the most convenient way to make and receive calls.

Localphone VoIP

The Localphone Website

There are a few features that lots of customers have asked for; easier to manage contacts, a printable contact list, and simpler access to your account history. I’m pleased to announce that all of these features, and many more, are now available on the Localphone site.

Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the new dashboard layout as we continue to improve and simplify the interface.

Your Localphone Dashboard

We’ve received some great feedback from our customers so far, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new site and services, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with suggestions.

As always, you can keep up-to-date with our latest news and releases on The Localphone Blog and by following @localphone on Twitter.

Finally, don’t forget you can call for free by recommending Localphone to your friends and family.

I hope you’ll join the Localphone Team in celebrating the launch of our new website. We’ll continue our commitment to listen to your feedback and implement the features you feel will make your Localphone experience even better.

Update: 2009-02-13 - We’ve lowered our India rate even further!

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that the world economy has taken a hit lately, and people are looking to cut costs wherever they can. The good news is that thanks to your continued support Localphone is in a stronger position to negotiate with our suppliers, and we’ve managed to obtain a reduced rate for our calls to India; savings we are passing on to you.

Effective immediately our new rate to both landlines and mobiles in India will be 1.95p, 3.3¢, and 2.5c per minute for GBP, USD and EUR customers respectively.

Our Long-Term Commitment to Value

We have seen some companies offer a promotional rate over the past month at a price we feel they cannot sustain in the future. I believe our customers will not fall for short-term gimmicks and appreciate our consistently low rates and dependable, quality routes.

This is our new rate going forward and we hope to only reduce it further as our service grows.

No Compromise on Quality

It is also important to note that this reduction is the result of renegotiating with our existing partners in India who we will continue to work with. Localphone has a direct digital connection to the telephone network in India and you can expect to experience the same high quality calls you’re used to receiving from Localphone.

As always we’d love to hear your suggestions so please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any thoughts about this reduction or any other aspect of the Localphone service.

Localphone was recently named Best Cheap International Call Provider of 2008 by readers of the VoIPGuides blog. We are particularly proud of this achievement as this award was voted for by consumers and reflects our ongoing commitment to great rates and quality routes.

When announcing the results VoIPGuides said of our landslide victory (Localphone gained 65% of the vote):

No surprises here. Localphone totally washed away all competitors. I guess its time for other VOIP Providers to start looking at Localphone as their leader and learn from them.

Thank you all for your support. As always, let us know if there is anything we can do to make Localphone even better in 2009.