TalQer version 1.0.0.1 is out of beta with a few surprises. It's a plug-in to GoogleTalk, and now to Skype, that lets you dial out on TalQer's network using your existing address book.

UPDATE: Let me explain the "minute-stealer" term since I didn't use it in the body of the article. I've heard it used for the last six months to refer to  companies whose primary marketing strategy is getting customers to switch to their lower cost service. For example, Vonage is a minute-stealer relative to AT&T and TalQer is a minute-stealer relative to Skype. Skype is trying to have it both ways, of course, pricing services low enough to get people to switch but with features that get them to use Skype for more than cheap phone calls. Back to TalQer...

You won't see TalQer applying for Skype certification any time soon. TalQer inserts a big yellow dial button into the Skype UI, driving users to bypass SkypeOut in favor of their own prepaid service. Cash-flow-interruptus.

In and out is everything here. TalQer isn't about its own social network, it's about beating Skype's rate arbitrage, further cutting the cost of getting and making PSTN calls. When you're using Skype to save a buck on international calls, TalQer offers better rates: € 0.012 (1.5¢) per minute for some countries and matching Skype's 2 cent per minute global rate in many others.

Since TalQer isn't based in the EU (Fremont, California, apparently), no EU value added tax.

TalQer is also trying to outperform SkypeOut audio quality. They didn't go for termination partners (the companies who connect Skype or TalQer to the regular phone system) that move your bits over the Internet. TalQer's CEO, Charlie Paglee, says they signed up with services that move bits over leased lines, less affected by the latest YouTube downloads or peak net traffic. It costs them a little more, but Paglee says they don't have Skype's scale or overhead expenses.

I've been getting an earful from post-Christmas newbies frustrated to tears by SkypeOut call quality and Skype's not having someone they can call. TalQer may work for them.

Still waiting for SkypeIn to come to your country? SkypeIn is available in 14 countries, but TalQer phone numbers are available in 38. Neither offer numbers for China or India. The first TalqIn number is free, but you can rent more starting at €2.40 ($3.00) monthly, about the same as SkypeIn. 

I can't say it works, or doesn't work. I wasn't prepared to buy the minimum $10 credit to try it. I can't imagine other reviewers paying for the privilege. If you do take the leap, let me know how this subversive little number works for you.  

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