Yes 4G service offers VoIP through iOS app

YTL Communications, the company that provides the Yes 4G internet service network in Malaysia, stepped into the Apple user demographic with the launch of the Yes Life App for iOS, as well as a native client for the Mac.

The voice-enabled Internet network runs on WiMax, which the company calls 4G, and has a population coverage of more than 65%. It touts itself as one that offers “mobile Internet with voice”, as users signed on to the service are given a mobile phone number with a 018 prefix. With the number, users with the Yes client on Windows or Mac can then make and receive calls and SMS as they would normally with any mobile service provider.

The iOS app, Yes Life, extends the call and SMS functionalities to the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad, except that the calls and SMS ride on a Wi-Fi or an existing 3G network. So essentially, Yes Life works like a voice over internet protocol (VOIP). Rates are 9 sen per minute or per SMS. In conjunction with the launch, users can try out the service for free for 14-days with a preloaded RM5 usage credit.

However, the usage of Yes Life extends to only so far; it cannot be used for data as none of the supported iOS devices support WiMAX natively. According to YTL Communications CEO Wing K. Lee, a similar app for Android and Blackberry devices are being developed, with the Android app expected to launch within a couple of months’ time.

At present, the Yes service has around 200,000 subscribers, and has increased its number of base stations in West Malaysia from 1200 to 1700 since it began in December last year. The company is targeting to install another 800 base stations by the year’s end in West Malaysia, and the resulting 2500 base stations is expected to cover 85% of the country’s population.

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