Mobile VoIP provider partners with Last FM

Mobile
VoIP provider fring has teamed up with online radio streaming website Last FM for a new interactive service.

By using VoIP infrastructure, the company is offering a radio add-on application which is designed to encourage users to connect and share experiences online.

This includes communicating in real-time via instant messages or VoIP calls, as well as listening to a wide range of radio channels.

Speaking at the launch, fring co-founder and chief executive Avi Shechter said that the new service "achieves several important goals".

"Firstly, it provides our users a rich, dynamic and compelling mobile internet experience, in this case based on music, and the opportunity for friends to share it in real-time with their friends," explained Mr Shechter.

"Secondly it represents the next stage in fring's planned evolution - a centre of gravity shift from simply aggregating and providing mobile internet communication tools, towards providing a platform for friends to enjoy rich and dynamic mobile experiences together, with tools such as voice and instant messaging being just one part of the story."

Founded in 2002, Last FM now claims to have over 21 million active subscribers located in around 200 different countries.