On Monday, Global IP Solutions announced the upcoming launch of a new software developer's kit that would finally bring voice over IP for Apple’s 3G iPhone, thus enabling users to make calls without tapping into the minutes their carriers provide.

Emerick Woods, CEO of Global IP Solutions, said the iPhone, thanks to its huge popularity and the continuous development of applications, represents the perfect platform for the deployment of real-time VoIP services that would give users access to "real-world communication experiences like in-game, multi-person chat."

However, this doesn’t mean iPhone users will transfer all of their conversations to VoIP and simply stop paying for their calls; the VoiceEngine Mobile will be accessible only in selected Wi-Fi hotspots. Obviously enough, this is one of the company’s obligations to its exclusive US carrier, AT&T; the latter would be seriously affected, financially speaking, if VoIP calls on a 3G network would ever be allowed.

Back in April, Israeli company Fring brought its VoIP application (also known as Fring) to the old iPhone and to the iPod Touch. Users gained access to Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, ICQ and SIP (both voice and chat) as well as to Twitter, Yahoo and AIM (chat only).

The launch was however accompanied by some controversy as, unlike many other third party apps, Apple had not approved this one. iPhone owners who wanted to run the application could only do so on jailbroken devices. Apple was relying on people’s honesty and was hoping that users would not temper with their handsets.

With the new service, Apple and AT&T are imposing a series of rules that will hopefully bring benefits to users and to the two companies alike.