[September 21, 2004]

VoIP Speaks Easy

BY JOHANNE TORRES

Independent broadband service provider, Speakeasy announced that it is adding Speakeasy Voice, a VoIP calling plan, to its current offerings. The company plans to make the calling plan available to current subscribers to the Speakeasy broadband service first.

Speakeasy provides broadband services through DSL connectivity. As an introductory offer, Speakeasy will allow customers who sign up for the company’s new Voice over IP (VoIP) (define - news - alert - tutorial) calling service by the end of the year three months of free unlimited calling anywhere in North America. The basic service price will be $29.95 per month after the conclusion of the three-month trial period. Speakeasy charges a one-time $40 installation fee.

The launch of Speakeasy Voice follows the company's recent addition of OneLink, which provides nationwide dedicated loop ADSL without the need for a phone line.

“We asked our customers what was most important to them in a VOIP solution. The overwhelming answer was quality and reliability,” said Bruce Chatterley, Speakeasy president and CEO. “We listened and developed the first VOIP service in the nation with VQ Technology. With other VOIP services, your call quality deteriorates significantly when you are downloading a file or even surfing the web. VQ Technology enables Speakeasy to prioritize voice traffic over data traffic, so call quality is never affected by your online activities.”

The new VoIP calling service bundles up local, long distance and international calling for one monthly fee. The service is packed with regular VoIP features including caller ID with name, call waiting, call back, enhanced voice mail, and directory assistance.

Speakeasy attempts to address the ongoing Enhanced 911, or “ E911,” (define - news - alert) issue by allowing a full integration with local Public Safety Answering Points—which will provide name, address and phone number information to emergency call dispatchers, steering away from relying on cellular or analog backup 911 trunks.