Vyke
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| Developer(s) | Vyke |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows and Mac |
| Type | VoIP Internet Phone Mobile VoIP SMS |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | www.vyke.com |
Vyke Communications (Vyke A/S) is a Voice over IP telephony company with a focus on Mobile VoIP and IP SMS using S60 supported mobile phones without the need for additional hardware. Vyke allows users to make telephone calls and send SMS over the Internet via their mobile-handset, computer or a normal fixed or landline.
Vyke offers free calls and SMS between connected users by utilizing existing Wi-Fi and wireless zones, existing mobile phone provider Internet networks and proprietary software. Additional services available to Vyke subscribers and customers include more traditional VoIP technology such as computer–to-phone calling, callback (where two nominated numbers are connected by Vyke via SMS, computer-initiated or callback number request), computer-based SMS and several other initiatives in development but available for Beta-testing through Vyke Labs.[1] Apple Mac computers and platforms are also able to use a specialized dialer for Mac-to-phone calling.[2]
Vyke offers free calls with only a one time connection charge to countries such as the United States, Canada and most countries in Western Europe. Hence it falls under the free or almost free VoIP providers.[3] Vyke for mobile sends text messages over the mobile operator's data channel.[4]
Contents |
[edit] 1. Background
The company was founded as Maskina in 2000 in Reykjavik, Iceland. In the early 2003, there was merger between Maskina and Viva Technologies. This, however, did not last long as on the 31st of December of the same year Maskina was purchased from Viva Technologies by Maskina AS. A reverse merger with Tower PLC lead to the company being listed on the London stock exchange on 27 June 2005.[5] This was followed by a name change to Vyke Communications PLC. In 2008 Vyke Communications PLC took over Callserve, a telephony company with similar solutions to those of Vyke and years of experience in the industry. In April 2011, after running into financial problems, Vyke Communications PLC went into administration. The following month TIH Ventures Limited, a private equity firm with an emphasis on telephony solutions, bought the rights to Vyke and its business.
[edit] 2. Products / Features
[edit] 2.1 VykeMobile
Vyke Mobile-VoIP is proprietary software that allows users to initiate and receive phone calls via Wi-Fi or WLAN. The user’s mobile phone acts in the same manner as a traditional VoIP computer-based call, or a call made from a soft-phone, but is instead made and received on a normal mobile phone. This effectively makes for a more portable VoIP calling system than traditionally used. Calls that do attract a fee are charged at the same rate as a Vyke PC/MAC-to-phone call.
Vyke Mobile-VoIP was first released on 28 March 2007 with a promotional release on 5 December 2007 from more than 9500 hotspots in the London metropolitan area, UK.[6] Vyke became a Nokia preferred partner who entered into a global distribution agreement with Vyke to distribute Vyke Mobile-VoIP in October 2007.[7]
[edit] 2.2 Vyke SMS
Vyke SMS is proprietary software that allows users to send and receive SMS via Wi-Fi or their mobile phone provider’s data networks using their existing mobile phone. The purpose is to reduce SMS costs by taking advantage of the lower cost for data traffic compared to individual SMS charges.[8] The program runs in the background of the mobile phone interface and is effectively invisible to the end user. Existing address books, inbox, outbox, drafts and other SMS folders remain unchanged and are integrated into the program automatically. Vyke SMS is available for download, and is an integrated part of the Vyke Mobile application. Once installed, the user has the option of sending SMS via the Vyke IP network or their usual mobile phone provider.
Vyke SMS is charged at a global rate. Thus it makes no difference whether the recipient has the Vyke software installed or not, or what the origin and destination of the SMS is geographically, the price of the SMS will always be the same.
Vyke SMS, originally calles Vyke FreeTxT was released on the 22nd July 2008.[9]
[edit] 2.3 Vyke PC-to-Phone
Vyke PC-to-phone allows users to call mobile phones and landlines locally and internationally for a fee. The user downloads the Vyke dialer, provided there is credit on their Vyke account, simply enters the number plus the country code and is connected. Headphones/speakers and a microphone are required to use this service.
[edit] 2.4 Vyke Callback
Vyke callback utilizes ANI callback services to connect two phone numbers. The user initiates a call by calling the ANI callback number from their mobile or fixed line, sending an SMS from their mobile phone or sending a data request either from a computer.
The user is then ‘called back’ and then the second leg of the call is connected to the nominated destination number. In this manner, a user may nominate any two numbers to be connected. A fee applies for the service and is calculated based on the two numbers being connected. Mobile phones are charged at a higher rate then fixed lines.
If the call is connected to a user’s mobile phone and they are outside of their normal mobile telephone provider’s network, then an inbound Roaming charge will be incurred.
[edit] 3. Usage and tariff
Can be found on https://www.vyke.com/rates.jsf
[edit] 4. Issues
[edit] 4.1 Security concerns
The top 5 threats to security for VoIP technology in 2008 are Denial of service attacks on VoIP networks, VoIP eavesdropping, Microsoft office communications server, Vishing by VoIP and VoIP attacks against service providers.[10] Of these, only VoIP eavesdropping is of significant concern to Vyke products and services.[11]
[edit] 4.2 Emergency numbers
Emergency calls are not supported by any of Vyke’s products.
[edit] 4.3 Quality of service
Quality of service (QOS) is not guaranteed and dropouts, broken connections and compression distortion can be observed by users.
[edit] 4.4 Customer service
Vyke provides email based customer service only.
[edit] 5. System and software
to be updated
[edit] 6.1 Unsupported functionality
- Voice call encryption.
- Conference calls.
- Server side address book storage.
- Address book import tools from Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, etc.
- Answering machine test call.
- Online chat.
- Instant messaging.
[edit] 7. Awards
Vyke was awarded the 2007 Internet Telephony Product of the Year Award by Technology Marketing Corporation.[12]
[edit] 8. See also
[edit] 9. References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Choose Mac lite from options.
- ^ My VoIP Provider - Free and almost Free VoIP services
- ^ The Register - Vyke moves VoIP battle to SMS
- ^ Admission document available here.
- ^ "Vyke launches full commercial mobile VoIP service from more than 9,500 hotspots and metropolitan area networks.” Retrieved 18th August 2008.
- ^ "Nokia distribution agreement for Vyke mobile Voip service.” Retrieved 18th August 2008
- ^ "A quick look at FreeTxT from Vyke.” Retrieved 18th August 2008.
- ^ "Free/cheaper texts for Vyke users with the launch of FreeTxt” Retrieved 30th July 2008.
- ^ "The Top 5 VoIP Security Threats of 2008.” Retrieved 10th February 2008.
- ^ "Examining Two Well-Known Attacks on VoIP.” Retrieved 10th February 2008.
- ^ Vyke Award from TMC
