Is Jajah a Skype-slayer?

[Jeff]

Jajah is a new VoIP service that uses your regular phone to place or receive calls, unleashing you from you computer and operating system limitations. How does Jajah work? You enter your phone number and the phone number you want to call, then click the "call" button. In a moment you'll be called by the Jajah switchboard, who will then also call the other party. Once you're connected, you talk just like you would with any normal phone call, but at rates that are competitive with Skype-Out.

The advantages of Jajah? You don't need any special equipment. You don't need a headset, microphone or speakers. You don't need a broadband connection. You can initiate a call from any computer with an Internet connection, regardless of operating system.

Disadvantages? You do need a phone. Mobile phones are o.k., but the rates can be higher. Also, there is no PC-to-PC option, and after a free trial, you will have to pay for calls.

Jajah has attracted some talented people, including Yair Goldfinger, one of the founders of instant messaging ICQ. But will their product slay Skype?

As I see it, Jajah won't really dent Skype's market, which first-and-foremost serves PC-to-PC calls. Jajah really shines in it's ability to provide VoIP economy to people who need the convenience of using their regular phone. In effect, you get VoIP prices without the hassle of setting up a full-fledged VoIP service like AT&T Callvantage or Vonage. Jajah is VoIP for the masses.

[detn8r]

This is pretty interesting although I'm not that sure how to calculate their rates...

according to their results:

Results for source operator:
CANADA ONTARIO (1705)
Operator
Net.
incl. VAT

USA (1)
0.0142
0.0163

CANADA ONTARIO (1905)
0.0140
0.0161

So does that mean, it costs $1.61 / min to call this number (which is located in Canada) in EURO dollars? If so, how does it compare to Vonage's price?

[Jeff]

No, those rates are some where between 1 and 2 cents per minute. Pretty dang cheap.