BT announces up to 96 per cent cheaper international calls with new price busting mobile technology

BT today announced ground-breaking new mobile phone technology that will enable mobile phone users to save up to 96 per cent on international calls.

The product, called BT Callwise, enables mobile phone users to use BT's network for their International calls at significantly reduced prices, whilst enabling users to continue using their phone normally, including using their handset phonebook to make the calls.

It works by downloading new software onto a mobile phone that can re-route international calls from more expensive mobile networks onto BT's cheaper fixed-line network.

BT has signed a deal with new mobile services Company Intelli-call to provide the price busting technology.

The application is free to install by anyone with a compatible mobile phone and can be simply downloaded www.bt.com/callwise. Users can also send the application from their mobile to family or friends' mobiles using infra red or Bluetooth technology.

Initially customers will only be charged for calls on a pre-pay basis. Users can top up credit on their account with a credit or debit card.

Mark Norris from BT said: "Currently if a UK mobile phone user dials an International number, the call is routed from the mobile phone through the mobile operator's network, not touching any part of BT's UK network.

The mobile operators charge a significant premium for these calls, for example a call to the USA from a mobile operator can cost as much as £1 per minute whereas a call to the states over BT's fixed-line network can be as low as 5 pence per minute.

Now mobile users can have the convenience of making international calls from their mobile – whether it be to family and friends overseas or doing business on the move - but without having to worry about the cost of the call."

Nick Hancock from Intelli-call added: "This technology offers mobile users significant price reductions and an ease of use that is unprecedented."

An initial trial of the new technology was launched on the 28th October and a full launch will follow early next year.