Fring is a voice over IP service that allows its users to make free mobile Group Video calls worldwide, in addition to the free 2-way video chat, voice calls, and text/IM chats that are similarly offered by services such as Viber and Skype. In addition, Fring also allows its users (often referred to as “fringsters”) to place calls to landline and mobile numbers worldwide for a fee through its fringOut service.
The Fring service is currently available for smartphones and tablets running iOS (including iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad), Android OS, and Symbian. The service — unlike similar calling and IM services — works over slower mobile networks such as GPRS and EDGE in addition to the 3G and 4G networks and Wi-Fi.
Fring was acquired by Genband for $50 million USD in September 2013. At the time of the acquisition, the company had 4 million customers.
