EQO, a free mobile application that combines mobile VoIP, text messaging and multi-network Instant messaging (IM) for everyday handsets, has introduced EQO Traveler, which enables mobile subscribers to reduce roaming charges by up to 80% when travelling outside of their home countries, using their existing mobile phone. EQO will be demonstrating the solution at CTIA in the Symbian booth, number 4855 in Hall N4.
Travellers have grown accustomed to shutting off their phones, reserving them for emergency calls or wincing and bearing the exorbitant roaming charges when venturing outside of their local calling areas, says EQO CEO Bill Tam. EQO Traveler significantly reduces these fees, eliminating the fear and uncertainty associated with roaming.   
Although charges vary from country to country, EQO says users will save up to 60% for a typical call home while travelling in Europe. It notes that roaming charges for a 10-minute call home from Italy to the UK using Vodafone can approach 3.80. The same call completed using EQO Traveler, coupled with a local SIM, will cost as little as 1.61.
To use EQO Traveler, the user selects Travel Mode in the EQO settings and specifies whether to use the existing mobile number or add an alternate number for a local SIM. Then the user clicks to call a contact, and EQO does the rest.
You can download EQO for free at www.EQO.com or from your handset at m.eqo.com