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EQO (pronounced “echo”) s a FREE application that brings free instant messaging, cheap calling and cheap texting to your mobile phone. Chat on the go using MSN, AIM, Yahoo, QQ, GoogleTalk, ICQ and Jabber, or place a mobile VoIP call or text anyone in the world at superlow rates. You can also invite your friends to join your EQO network and use EQO to call them at 50% off EQO's regular calling rates, or send them and EQO Message for FREE.

Download EQO to your phone the same way you’d download music or a ringtone, and in minutes you can start calling and messaging. Click here for more information.

As an EQO user, you’ll have access to some of the best mobile international call savings in the world. It’s free to download, intuitive and offers you affordable, high-quality mobile international calling and text messaging. It also gives you free access to all of your favourite Instant Messaging (IM) clients including: Google Talk, MSN, Yahoo, QQ, ICQ, Jabber, AIM.

Click here to see EQO’s current rates.

To use EQO on your mobile phone, you’ll need two things:

• A supported handset
• Data/Internet access on your phone

Anywhere in the world. Click here to view our current rates.

Good question -- and one that most of our new employees struggle with. To end the debate, EQO is pronounced ‘echo’, which rhymes with gecko.

Most mobile operators offer some form of mobile data/Internet service that allows you to browse the web and/or download music, games, images, ringtones and other content to your phone.

EQO sends a small amount of data over the Internet to set up your calls, send text messages and allow you to chat on your favorite IM networks. In order to do this, your phone needs to be able to access the Internet. This is commonly referred to as "having a data plan". You likely have a data plan if you frequently do things like surf the net using your mobile browser, download music, games, etc. If you are not sure if you have a data plan on your phone, contact your mobile provider.

EQO only uses a very small amount of data to make calls (in fact, only a few bytes) but your phone needs to be able to access the Internet to use EQO. You can ask your mobile provider what your data/Internet plan options are.

It all depends on how you use EQO. The application uses about 1 or 2 KBs every time you start it up. Each call is only 200 bytes (the data connection is used to initiate the call--so the 200 bytes is the same regardless of call duration of call type). The application will use more data if you have lots of contacts or lots of IM accounts with lots of contacts.

There is a data counter on the application which you can use to monitor your usage(find it under the "My Account" Option).

If you use your mobile device to send / receive email, surf the web or download games, music, ringtones, etc., you likely have a data/Internet access activated on your phone.

EQO makes use of this data/Internet connection so that you can download EQO wirelessly, and place cheap calls and send messages.

If you are not sure if you have a data plan on your phone, contact your mobile provider.

Many mobile operators allow you to access mobile data/Internet services and simply pay as you use the service. However, these charges can be more expensive than if you subscribe to a mobile data/Internet plan. To reap the full cost-saving benefits of EQO, we recommend our users subscribe to a data/Internet plan with their mobile operator.

In order to access mobile data / Internet services, your phone needs to be configured to connect to an Access Point Node (APN) on the mobile network. You can find out more about setting up your APN settings here.

Mobile operators typically charge based on the amount of data sent and received. This might be in kilobytes(KB) or Megabytes (MB). A typical text message is about 100 bytes, so 10 text messages would be a KB.

Fortunately, we’ve optimized EQO to minimize the amount of data required to set up calls, send text messages or chat on IM. We use only a few bytes of data to set up calls and texts which for most plans amount to less than a cent. EQO delivers exceptional value in comparison to regular mobile international calling and / or domestic long distance and text message charges.

For a complete EQO rate comparison overview, please click here.

IMPORTANT: If you are not sure, or you currently use a "pay per use" data plan - using EQO could result in additional charges from your mobile provider - contact your current provider.

We’ll need to collect some information about your phone and mobile number to set you up with an EQO user ID. This will allow you to connect to our network and take advantage of low-cost calling and free messaging with your EQO contacts.

We will never share your personal information without your expressed permission. Click here to view our Privacy Policy.

We need your mobile phone number in order to complete and receive mobile international calls and text messages.

In order to download the right version of EQO to your phone, we’ll need to know your make and model of phone. Currently, EQO supports hundreds of handsets. If you do not see your phone listed, let us know

We need to know where you live in order to properly dial out and send messages.

Calls placed with EQO are as safe and secure as any other mobile voice or VoIP call.

Your EQO ID is needed to sign into your account. Your account contains important information regarding your list of contacts, your EQO Credit balance and your personal settings.

If you’ve forgotten your password, please click here

Once you complete sign-up, EQO will send two text messages to the mobile number your provided during sign-up. One contains your EQO password that you will need to log on to EQO, and the other text message contains a link to download EQO. Click on the link to begin downloading EQO. Your phone will ask you for permission to access the internet in order to download EQO to your phone – please say yes. EQO will now begin downloading to your phone. If you do not receive these text messages, go to http://get.eqo.com on your phone and download the file directly from there.

EQO supports hundreds of mobile phones, each with a different menu system. If you don’t see EQO in the main menu on your phone, check the ‘Applications’ or the ‘Games’ folders. If you require any assistance, please click on the "Ask Us Now" button on the right of the page or submit a support request directly to support@eqo.com.

Locate the application on your phone, and click on it. The application may ask if you will allow connection to the internet or access user data. You will need to say yes, as EQO uses data as part of the process of completing your calls.

Simply select Exit EQO from the Options menu.

EQO uses approximately 240KB of memory in your phone.

Once you’ve downloaded EQO to your phone, the application will install automatically. However, if this doesn’t happen for you or if you receive an error message, you should check out this section.

• Invalid Certificate
  If you receive an installation error that says "Invalid certificate".
  
  Some mobile phones require certificates for the Java applications that you install on them. EQO has a valid certificate for these phones. If you receive a message that says that the certificate is invalid, it could mean that the date on your phone is incorrect. Set the correct date on your phone and EQO should install properly on your mobile phone.
  
  
• Failed Authorization
  If you receive an installation error that says "Authorization failed".
  
  This error usually indicates that your mobile provider has blocked third-party applications from being installed on your mobile phone. In this case, you can try contacting your mobile provider directly to find out if it is possible to enable third-party applications on your mobile phone.
  
  
• .JAD File Required
  If you receive an installation error that says ".JAD File Required". Note: this only applies if you are transferring EQO from your computer to your mobile phone.
  
  EQO is a Java application that requires both a .JAD file and a .JAR file. The .JAR file stores the majority of the application and the .JAD file contains the information specific to your account. If you don’t transfer both of these files to your phone, then EQO will not work on your phone.
  
  
• Using Nokia PC Suite
  If you are having problems using Nokia PC Suite to transfer EQO from your computer.
  
  If you are using Nokia PC Suite to transfer EQO to your mobile phone from your computer, make sure that you save the .JAR and the .JAD files in the same folder on your PC. When you use Nokia PC Suite you will only be able to see and transfer the .JAR file to your mobile phone. This process will still work as long as the .JAR and the .JAD are in the same folder on your computer.

Launch the application by clicking on the icon from your designated folder either from the main menu, or from the Applications and Games folder. You can also set up a shortcut key in your phone (this is mobile handset specific, refer to your phone manual for more information). When you launch EQO for the first time it may ask you for your username and password (provided to you in a text message when you signed up for EQO) – please use the information you provided during the sign-up process.

Click ‘Yes’ to continue. This message means that your phone may not recognize the EQO application.

Select an access point that allows you to send and receive internet data (typically your mobile provider’s name). If you don’t have such an access point set up on your phone, you can create a new one based on your country and carrier. Check out our APN Support page instructions on how to do this.

After you click on EQO and start the application, you will see an EQO icon in the top right of the screen. When this icon is solid orange, your mobile phone is connected. When it is grey, your phone is not connected. When it is flashing grey and orange, you are in the process of connecting.

EQO enables you to import the contacts in your phone’s address book. This makes it easy to use EQO to make calls, send messages and even invite your contacts to use EQO. EQO will never contact anyone in your Phonebook without your expressed permission. Click here to view our Privacy Policy.

Calls to other EQO users are placed at 50% off the regular cost; you only use your local minutes and data even for international calls. You can also send your friends FREE EQO messages. To invite someone, select ‘Invite’ from the Actions menu and we’ll send them an SMS with a link to download EQO.

In order to complete a call with EQO, our network servers need your mobile phone number. If you entered your number incorrectly during sign up, you won’t be able to receive the link to install EQO or use the service.

EQO requires an HTTP or GPRS TCP Internet connection. These types of Internet connection are different from a WAP Internet connection. Even if you can browse the Internet or use other Java applications, you still might have trouble connecting with EQO. Check with your mobile operator to determine what kind of Internet connection you have.

A "Connection Error" usually means that your mobile phone is not properly configured to connect to the Internet via a GPRS or HTTP connection. If you have a Nokia or a Sony-Ericsson phone, you can have these settings sent directly to you via SMS. Follow the link for your mobile phone:
Nokia
Sony-Ericsson
If you need to manually configure your phone, you will first need the proper HTTP or GPRS settings (APN, username, and password) for your mobile provider. Then follow the steps found on our forum for your type of phone:
http://community.eqo.com/forums/eqo_mobile/connection_problems. Make sure that you are applying these new settings to your Internet connection (Java, etc.) phrase in form of question.

If we have a service outage, we will notify our users via our home page, www.eqo.com.

If you can connect to EQO, but you can’t use the IM services, try re-entering your username and password. Make sure that you have not accidentally entered a capital letter where there should be a lower case one. Alternatively, try to use another IM account and see if that works. Also, try using your IM account on a computer. If you can not use your IM account on a computer, then it is likely that the IM network is experiencing difficulties.

When you send a message with EQO, you will be asked if you want to send an "EQO Out Text" or an "EQO Message". An EQO Message is a free message that will be sent to your EQO friend. You will not be charged by EQO or by your mobile provider for this type of message. Your EQO friend will receive this message in their EQO inbox the next time they are online. An "EQO Out Text", is a cheap way to send a traditional text message with EQO. You will be charged EQO credits for this text, but you will not be charged by your provider.

If you can’t place or receive an EQO call, makes sure that you are signed in and that you have enough EQO Credits to make the call. Also, make sure that your phone is sending out its number when you place a call. If your phone is hiding its own caller id from our servers, your call will not be placed. You can usually find this setting for your mobile phone under ‘phone options’. Also note that you will only be able to make EQO calls if your account is from a supported calling country.

When you start EQO, you will be prompted to allow the application to access the Internet and to use the network to send and receive data. Don’t worry if you see these prompts, they are normal Java prompts. In order to use EQO, you will need to answer ‘yes’ to all of these prompts. On some mobile phones, you can stop these prompts from appearing more than once and, in some instances, you can stop them from appearing altogether. To change these settings on most Nokia phones, select Tools, and then Application Manager. Then find EQO in your list of applications and select Options, and then Settings. Then set the network access permissions to "always allow" or "ask first time only". For most Motorola phones, go to Games & Apps, then select EQO, then select Permissions, then select Network Related, then select Data Network, and then change the setting to "ask once". Then go back to Permissions and select Connectivity Options and then select "never ask".

With EQO's unique technology, you can also place mobile-mobile calls to other online users at 50% off EQO’s regular rates, and send them free EQO messages. When you have contacts in your EQO phonebook that are also EQO users, EQO's presence feature automatically allows you to see whether they are online (there will be a or offline (you can also send them a "nudge" to get online). When you click to call another online EQO user, or send another user an EQO Message, the communication is automatically routed and connected on the EQO network. Presto! You’re now making EQO calls at 50% off the regular EQO's already low calling rates and sending FREE EQO messages.

EQO works like just like your mobile’s phonebook, but with added features like instant messaging and the ability to see which of your contacts are online (presence). To make a call or send a text message, simply scroll through and click on a contact. EQO is able to detect when you’re dialling an international or domestic long distance number, and will automatically route the call through EQO’s network. To complete these calls or messages, EQO uses a combination of your existing local minutes and data plan.

The ’chat bubble’ icon means that this contact is an EQO user. When the icon is green, they’re online, when it is grey, they are offline. You can make EQO Calls at 50% off the regular EQO call rate with a green icon, or send a FREE EQO message to any contact with a green or grey icon. Use EQO Out calls and EQO Out text messages to contact your offline contacts or friends that do not use EQO.

For current rates, please click here.

In a number of countries, EQO uses local access numbers to bridge and complete international calls. When you make an international call, EQO uses the country code associated with your mobile number to connect you to our local access number in your country. You’re making a local call to us and we’re calling your contact for you.

List countries

United States
Canada
Mexico
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Israel
Hong Kong
Australia
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Caller ID needs to be turned on to make calls with EQO. When placing a voice call, EQO uses your mobile number to establish a connection with our network servers. If your ‘Caller ID’ setting is turned off, you will be unable to complete calls using our service.

EQO Traveler is a revolutionary new feature that enables you to significantly reduce costly mobile roaming charges by up to 80% when traveling outside your home country.

You can use EQO Traveler in one of two ways:

1. Using your existing mobile number: When traveling, simply select "Traveler Mode" from your EQO Settings menu. Calls made using EQO will still be routed to your existing mobile number, but they will use inbound roaming minutes which are typically cheaper.


2. Purchase a travel SIM: When traveling, purchase a prepaid local SIM and insert it into your unlocked phone. From the EQO Settings menu, choose "Traveler Mode", and edit the mobile number to that of your prepaid SIM. Calls will now automatically be routed to this local number.

What is unlocking?

Unlocking your mobile enables the phone to be used with any compatible SIM card, on any network, from any country. You can check if your phone is already unlocked by inserting a SIM card from another network. If a message such as ‘SIM card restricted' appears, you’ll need to unlock it.

Many mobile retailers and various retailers will offer to unlock a phone for you for a fee. For many models of phones it is possible to do it yourself – check the web for more details to see if this is solution is right for you.

This is a common misconception. Unlocking, which lets you use your phone, with any SIM card from any network is completely legal.

It's the small (roughly 2cm by 1cm) microchip card that you insert into a phone when it's first set up. It provides the identity of a phone for the mobile network, so it can recognize, bill and send calls to individual customers. The SIM card is usually located behind the battery on the back of the phone.

Almost anywhere – from convenience stores to retailers that sell mobile phone accessories. International SIM cards can also be purchased online, prior to traveling.

To send a text message, you will first need to add a contact to your EQO phonebook. After you have added the contact, select their name in your EQO phonebook and then select Send Message. Select EQO Out Text, then type as you would for a regular text message, and then select send.

EQO is compatible with all the major IM services: MSN, AIM, QQ, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber. To access any of your IM accounts, select the service provider on the IM tab, sign in using your existing username and password, and EQO will automatically connect you. Your contacts and their online status will automatically be displayed. Just click on your contact, and start messaging. You can keep multiple chat windows/conversations open at the same time. EQO provides this service to you free of charge – IM chats are completed using your existing data only.

If you would like to change the phone number associated with your EQO account, sign in to your account here, https://www.eqo.com/support, and submit a secure support request.

The EQO file is different for every model, so if you changed your mobile phone, make sure that you change your phone model on your account page (sign in at www.eqo.com) and download the proper version of EQO to your new phone. You can also go to http://get.eqo.com on your new phone’s browser and download EQO directly from there.

The first time you start EQO, you have the option to have your contacts automatically loaded to your EQO phonebook. You can also import your mobile phone’s contact list or manually add contacts to your EQO phonebook at any time. You can also add contacts who are already EQO users from your EQO account page at http://www.eqo.com.

If you are having problems placing an EQO call, make sure that you have enough EQO Credit in your account. Also ensure that you are signed in—you will know you are signed in when the EQO icon at the top of the screen is solid orange and your EQO account balance is displayed at the top left.

To effectively manage your account, sign in at http://www.eqo.com. Once signed in, you can add contacts who are already EQO users, buy credits, and change your personal or mobile phone information.

EQO credits are used to complete calls and EQO Out Messages, and can be purchased through the ‘My Account’ section of the EQO website using a verified PayPal or Moneybookers account. Remember, calling or messaging other online EQO users does not require the use of EQO Credits.

PayPal enables any individual with an email address to securely, easily and quickly send and receive payments online. PayPal’s service utilizes the world’s most advanced proprietary fraud prevention systems to create a safe, global, real-time payment solution. We require you purchase your EQO credits through PayPal to keep your information secure and protect you from fraudulent activities. For a full list of PayPal’s terms and conditions, click here

For PayPal’s supported country list, please click here.

Moneybookers enables any individual with an email address to securely, easily and quickly send and receive payments online. We require that you purchase your EQO credits through Moneybookers or PayPal to keep your information secure and protect you from fraudulent activities.

To sign up for a Moneybookers account, please click here.

You may view your account status online in the My Account section, or you can see how many credits you have remaining in the top left corner of the EQO application on your phone.

If you get a message on our website saying: "We’re sorry, your account has not reached the minimum balance required to make another purchase." it is because we currently have a policy that restricts customers from purchasing additional credits until their account balance has dropped below a pre-determined amount.

This was done to help protect both our users and ourselves by ensuring that the service is being used as intended and not for fraudulent transactions.

The maximum transaction limit is a policy we put in place to limit the amount of EQO Credits that can be purchased over a 2 month period for each payment method. After this 2 month purchase period, the purchase limits are increased. If you reach your purchase limit with one payment method, please try another payment method. Currently we accept Verified PayPal and Moneybookers for payment.

This was done to help protect both our users and ourselves by ensuring that the service is being used as intended and not for fraudulent transactions.

It is unfortunate but as a business that relies on online payment transactions we are forced to put checks and balances in place that protects both the EQO community of users and ourselves from fraud. We understand that these limits could be inconvenient but reducing your risk in doing business with us is one of our top concerns.

EQO Credits expire after 180 days of inactivity. As soon you successfully place an EQO Out Call or send an EQO Out Message the expiration date will reset to 180 days. 30 days before the expiry date we will send you a reminder email to use your credits.

EQO Out Rates are calculated to the nearest tenth of a cent, but EQO only displays your balance to the nearest whole cent. You can check the ‘Payment’ tab on your ‘My Account’ page at www.eqo.com for the most detailed view of your EQO Credit balance.

EQO currently only supports Verified PayPal accounts. Verified PayPal members have confirmed their financial identity by successfully completing PayPal’s Verification process.

The Verification process is a way for PayPal to gain additional proof of a member’s identity in conjunction with our own authentication methods, and increases the security of our payment network for everyone. Unverified members have not completed the Verification process needed for their country of residence. For more information on PayPals verification process, please visit their website at www.paypal.com.

To check your EQO Credits or to buy more, sign in at http://www.eqo.com and view your account page. Ensure that you have a Verified PayPal or Moneybookers account—these are the only methods of payment that we will accept.

If you need more information about your PayPal account, check with PayPal: http://www.paypal.com

If you need more information about your Moneybookers account check with Moneybookers: http://www.moneybookers.com

Click here to tell us all about it!

EQO does not offer access to premium service numbers at this time. These services are typically billed at rates much higher than those to standard international numbers and are currently not included in our list of valid destinations.

Unfortunately EQO cannot be used to call Emergency services (i.e. 911 or 999). To place an emergency call, please minimize or sign out of the EQO application and dial as you normally would.

You can login to your EQO Account page and submit a support request or post a question in our forum and our support staff will help you out.