[November 8, 2004]

Vonage Will Bundle Linksys� Wireless Router

BY JOHANNE TORRES

VoIP startup Vonage Holdings Corp. just made a deal with Cisco’s ( news – alert – quote) Linksys. According to the agreement, Linksys will enable Vonage to offer its consumers a wireless-G broadband router (WRT54GP2) with 2 phone ports to be bundled with the company’s Voice over IP ( VoIP ) ( define - news - alert - tutorial) calling service.

“Recognizing the need for residents and small businesses to have myriad of options when setting up their networks, Vonage is excited to partner with Linksys to continue to lead the way in transforming how people communicate,” stated Jeffrey A. Citron, chairman and CEO of Vonage Holdings Corp. ( news- alert) “More importantly, the Wireless-G Router bundled with Vonage’s service is the next step in modernizing an archaic telecommunications network. No longer will people be stuck in the past and tied down to communications systems that fail to offer true mobility.”

The Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router is four devices in one. It includes a Wireless-G Access Point; a built-in 4-port switch to connect wired-Ethernet devices; a router function so the entire network can share a single cable or DSL Internet connection and two standard telephone jacks, allowing for multiple phone lines.

“By providing customers with both the hardware and service they need to make high-quality phone calls over their broadband connection, customers get a better overall value and user experience,” said Mike Wagner, Linksys director of worldwide marketing. “Marketing the product and service together enables us to educate more customers about the benefits and cost savings VoIP can provide.”

The Wireless-G Router will be available at over 7,000 retail locations nationwide and through online retail partners. Customers can sign up for Vonage phone service and purchase any one of the three VoIP bundles including the Phone Adapter with 2-Phone Ports (PAP2), Linksys Router with 2-Phone Ports (RT31P2) and the Wireless-G Router with 2-Phone Ports (WRT54GP2) at retail locations including Best Buy, RadioShack, Office Depot and Staples.