EQO Slashes Mobile Roaming Costs

LAS VEGAS, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- EQO, a free mobile application that combines mobile VoIP, text messaging and multi-network IM for everyday handsets today introduced EQO Traveler at CTIA Wireless 2008. This revolutionary feature lets mobile subscribers significantly reduce sky-high roaming charges by up to 80% when traveling outside of their home countries.
 
Unlike other alternatives that require travelers to change handsets, subscribe to special international services or involve a Wi-Fi connection to complete calls, EQO users can call home at a fraction of the cost by simply making a few clicks on their existing mobile handsets. EQO will be demonstrating this new feature this week at CTIA in the Symbian booth (#4855 in Hall N4).
 
"Travelers have grown accustomed to shutting off their phones, reserving them for emergency calls or wincing and bearing the exorbitant roaming charges when venturing outside of their local calling areas," said EQO CEO Bill Tam. "EQO Traveler significantly reduces these fees, eliminating the fear and uncertainty associated with roaming."
 
Although charges vary from country to country, EQO users will save up to 80% for a typical call home, while traveling in Europe. For example, roaming charges for a 10-minute call from the UK to the US using AT&T can approach US$13.00. The same call completed using EQO Traveler, coupled with a local SIM, will cost as little as US$1.69.
 
EQO Traveler is a straightforward feature. When traveling, a user simply selects 'Travel Mode' in the EQO settings and specifies whether to use the existing mobile number or add an alternate number for a local SIM. After making this quick change, the user clicks to call a contact, and EQO does the rest.
 
To download EQO for free, please visit the company's website at http://www.eqo.com/ or the WAP site at m.eqo.com from a mobile browser.
 
   *Mobile roaming rates vary depending on carrier and call destination. Be
    sure to check your plan's rates to determine the optimal cost-savings
    with EQO.
 
  About EQO
 
EQO (pronounced "echo") is an award winning mobile application that brings free instant messaging, cheap calling and low cost text messaging to everyday mobile phones from manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, LG, Blackberry and HTC. EQO operates in more than 200 countries, and the application is available in multiple languages including English, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese.
 
Chat on the go, home and abroad, using MSN, AIM, Yahoo, Google Talk, QQ, ICQ and Jabber, or call and text anyone in the world at super-low rates. Users can invite friends to join the EQO network and receive 50 percent off the company's regular calling rates or send EQO Messages for free. Sign up for EQO at http://www.eqo.com/ or EQO's mobile site m.eqo.com and automatically get free trial credits to calls or text message anyone in the world.
 
Source: EQO
 
CONTACT: Jill Petersen, +1-206-267-2016, jill.petersen@text100.com, for
EQO; or Jennifer Hols of EQO, +1-604-273-8173, ext. 150, jhols@eqo.com
 
Web site: http://www.eqo.com/