Jajah, the VOIP startup (often referred to as the 2.0 version of Skype) has launched in India. Jajah uses the internet to initiate calls from/to your regular landline or mobile phones. Unlike Skype or Google Talk, one does not need to download any software; neither does one need accessories like headsets, microphones, phone cards etc. All you have to do is to specify your own number and your calling number and Jajah initiates the call. Jajah’s calling rates are claimed to be much lower than corresponding rates from mobile phone or fixed line telephony companies. Jajah, whose long term mission is to “make voice free” operates in 55 countries and has more than two million international users.
Jajah calls can be initiated from their website only (either desktop or mobile) and that might limit its appeal. But they have have a bunch of tools to extend their calling functionality to different applications – Firefox, Plaxo, Outlook etc. As a promotional initiative, Jajah is offering very low call rates (Rs 3.2 per minute) between India & US/UK till Independence Day. Other promotional offers are detailed on this India specific website launched by them.
How does Jajah stack up against Skype in real terms? Skype was possibly one of the most disruptive mass market, global scale technologies that emerged post the dot com bust. Can Jajah disrupt what Skype has achieved? This seems highly unlikely. Skype bought cheap VOIP calls to the desktop, while Jajah brings VOIP to our POT (plain old telephones) and thats the basic difference. However it still needs you to be near the internet (either on a desktop or mobile) for the call to be initiated. This means that anybody who can make a Jajah call can make a Skype call as well. Disruptive technologies need to change the rules of the games- quite clearly, Jajah, while being different, does not really do so. This factor may possibly limit mass scale adoption of the product. (However Jajah says that it is working on solutions whereby calls can be initiated without access to the internet- now, that is something to watch out for whenever that happens)
Something worth knowing is that Jajah is funded by Intel Capital, the VC fund run by Intel. So it has pretty strong forces standing behind it.
“This means that anybody who can make a Jajah call can make a Skype call as well.” this is not true. My friend just called me on jajah from a small village in Spain, and she said the PCs didn’t have Skype, nor could they install it. Secondly, I have a browser in my mobile phone, and called US to India using Jajah at a lower rate than anything else out there. Again, no Skype on my mobile phone.
Jajah is disruptive.
I must agree with Amit’s definition of disruptive and conclusion vis-a-vis Jajah – it is only providing an evolutionary solution – not changing the rules of the game. With Jajah, every time you want to make a call, you need to use your browser to connect to the Jajah website, where you must enter the number you wish to call.
So, if disruptive technology must change the normal course, then you should check out Rebtel (www.rebtel.com). Its approach leverages how we really make calls everyday while capitalizing on the benefits of VoIP technology to provide consumers with low rates and ease of use. In doing so, it is fueling social networking, defining a new business model for P2P calls, and changing the contractual relationship with operators (all calls are local calls), and Disruptive or evolutionary – you be the judge…
This is how it works – Rebtel lets you make international VoIP calls in exactly the same way as you normally do – from one phone to another, via your contact list, at the touch of a button – via your mobile or landline. Unlike Jajah, which requires repeated visits to its website, Rebtel numbers can be set up during one quick visit to Rebtel.com. After that, you never need to visit http://www.rebtel.com again, as those numbers are permanent ones, and can be saved to the address book. Once the you set up the local numbers, dialing a Rebtel contact is exactly the same as making any other calls whether from your mobile or landline.
Besides the great ease of use, they have GREAT rates ALL THE TIME! Not just promotional rates – How would you like to make calls to India for 6 cents ALL THE TIME!? This IS Rebtel’s rates between US or UK and India. Want more? You can also get free minutes for every friend that signs up.
You should check them out…www.rebtel.com
Let me know what you think!
Pingback: Anonymous
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