Ringo 'Internet-Free International Calling App' Launched in India

Ringo, the international voice calling app which doesn't require Internet data or voice minutes, has launched in India on Wednesday. The app was first launched in May 2014 for 16 countries. Now, Indian users can now also download and use the Ringo app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices.

"Unlike other OTT voice apps, Ringo calls do not use the Internet, Wi-Fi, data or carrier minutes. Making a call using Ringo is identical to making a call through your carrier, in terms of quality, and yet costs 70 percent lower than standard rates offered by most telcos," said the company in a statement.

In order to make calls from the Ringo app, users will need to first create a Ringo account and transfer between Rs. 25 and Rs. 250 to their Ringo wallet. The app automatically syncs phone contacts, and adds a country flag with the per minute call price against the contact.

The company claims that the app offers prices that are around 70 percent cheaper than Vodafone or Airtel's ISD call rates in India, and around 20 percent cheaper than Skype and Viber for most destinations. For example - Indian consumers will need to pay Rs 1.08 per minute to call mobiles/ landlines in the US, China and Canada.

As the company explains that the Ringo app uses a unique call flow to convert international calls into local calls. When a Ringo user from India contacts someone in the United Kingdom, Ringo will automatically dial out a local call to the Indian user and another local call to the UK user and connect the two over reliable carrier circuits.

"We believe our app will change the way India communicates with the world," said Bhavin Turakhia, CEO of Ringo. "In this country, reliable internet connectivity that can support VoIP calling is still far away. Ringo provides the perfect solution for Indian consumers who want to stay in touch with their family, friends and colleagues abroad reliably and at a low-cost."