By Jeb Brilliant
Chief Editor
I had a really nice conversation with Jeff Rice today.  He’s the CEO at DeFi Mobile (disclosure, they provide me with VOIP).  I had some pointed questions I wanted to ask but we started off with what they are up to right now (the good stuff).  First though I should tell you that DeFi is a Mobile VOIP provider, working over wifi networks with a list of thousands it auto connects to and only costs $40/month for unlimited calls.

Now to let the cat out of the bag, DeFi has their app being reviewed by the iPhone people so they can get it into the iPhone App Store.  This is big for people living in the States.  There are many times more iPhones here then Nokia N and E Series devices, so they hope this means that the general public here in the US will start to download DeFi on to their iPhones and get a taste of Mobile VOIP.  And DeFi will be offering all new accounts a 101 free minutes anytime and to anywhere in the world.  So you can call landlines and mobiles.  You will also be able to always call for free other DeFi users, other VOIP providers, iNum #rs, Google Chat folks, and hopefully soon Skype folks.  So that’s what’s going on at the moment with DeFi.

To get started with DeFi once their iPhone app is available you will just have to download it and give them your mobile # and email address and poof your in business.  This is a great opportunity for couples to talk to each other for hours at a time or companies with globally located employees to talk, all for free.  This is just a stepping stone for folks to then pay the $40/month and get flat rate unlimited calls to anybody on any network, anywhere in the world.  Maybe even disrupt the big telcos by lowering your minute plans with them.

One very interesting and important innovation by DeFi is that they are going to be giving out iNum numbers in the future.  This iNum is a very new concept giving people a # geared toward being used around the world and not being chained to a geographic location.

On a side note, Jeff is currently using a Nokia E51, E71 and iPhone.

Thank you to Jeff Rice for his time and Tim Warner for making this happen.

I had to reinstall Defi a mobile VOIP application for Nokia E and N series devices that support wifi last week.  So I thought I would record it and show you how easy it is to do.  Unfortunately the only other device I had with me at the time was a Nokia E71 that as you will see does not have the greatest camera.  Honestly the video is less important then the audio and to be see how easy it is to install.  I am putting both videos below for your viewing pleasure.

The first video is  me downloading the Defi application and installing it.

The second video is me again (surprise surprise) downloading the Defi Global applications (all the hotspots for free use).  I believe the total time it took for both apps was about 5 minutes.  Amazing in my opinion.

Anyways, check out Defi and their mobile VOIP for a great and VOIP experience.  It’s $40 for unlimited (3,000 fair use) phone calls to any number mobile or land line around the globe.

I have been testing DeFi a Mobile VOIP for a few weeks now on the Nokia N 95-4 . Let me tell you, DeFi has it pegged. I am not an economist and I don’t have a masters in business but I think if they can get DeFi in front of the right people they will have it made. DeFi charges $40 per month for unlimited calling (3,000 min/month fair use policy) on any of the dozen plus Nokia Symbian smart phones that support wifi (mostly the E and N series). It is pretty simple, just go online, register with them, they will send you an sms with the download link. At that point you go to the website in the link and download the app. Within 5 minutes you should be making phone calls around the world.

I have been able to plan an event in China, call Israel to chat with friends, and spend hours talking to my sister, her husband and son in Argentina. All of this is for just $40/month. This may be steep if you only make a few calls internationally a month but keep in mind you can make calls to the US also. The unlimited calls include land line and mobile numbers to. So if you use a lot of minutes calling the US this might be a good deal for you also.

I see DeFi competing directly with other major Mobile VOIP MNOs but also with some of our local operators. For example Metro PCS here in the US offers unlimited calls for $35/month, but your restricted to their small footprint. You can use DeFi anywhere you have access to wifi, anywhere in the world. I also suspect you can use it over 3G. This means you have a roaming free handset, which I forgot to mention also provides a phone number for you.

My only complaint and this may be more a hardware/software restriction is that I can’t have DeFi on the same phone I have Truphone and run both at the same time.

All in all I would suggest DeFi to anybody.Visit www.DeFiMobile.com to get started.
Note after the fact: The DeFi customer service is superb.

I was interviewed yesterday by Jim Finkle from Reuters.  We talked about Mobile VOIP for a while and I was introduced to a new company called DeFi and I told Jim all about Truphone (one of my favorite services).  There’s an error in the pricing that I have already requested they correct.

I’m excited to be included in the story, Thanks Jim.

Here’s a link to the article in the Guardian Unlimited.  The first paper I saw to pick it up

I had never heard of DeFi until today and now I’m using their service and REALLY liking it.  DeFi is geared to international callers and heavy talkers.  They offer unlimited mobile VOIP or mVOIP calls to anywhere in the world (on Nokia S60 phones) as long as you’re on wifi for $40/month.  I call that impressive.  This is great for travelers who don’t want to pay ridiculous roaming fees just for making calls.  If these guys can get the word out to everyone I think they will do some serious disrupting.

Thanks to Tim for taking his time to tell me all about the service.