Verizon, the largest local telecommunications provider in the US, has torn up the US telephone rule-book and is offering a US-wide Voice over IP (VoIP) service for $39.95 a month, with discounts available if customers use other Verizon services.
The service is called VoiceWing and the move is seen as the beginning of a colossal US-wide land grab for customers between the big four local telcos, Verizon, SBC, Bellsouth and Qwest and is also targeted at fighting off the triple play threat from the big US cable firms.
It will also find itself going up against AT&T’s CallVantage VoIP scheme which is almost identical.
A few weeks ago Cablevision caused consternation and share price upsets when it announced a $90 package for cable TV, high speed internet and VoIP telephony. But this deal only targets the four million customers which are passed by cable owned by Cablevision.
This Verizon deal is a chance to build business from anyone in the country that owns a broadband line, something close to 28 million and rising, with only 2.3 million of those already customers of Verizon.
But this deal, and those likely to be offered in return by the other three local telcos, is a very different one from the Cablevision offering, and represents a genuine change of heart in Verizon’s approach to its future.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service is one of the hottest new technologies, and many people are now discovering the cost savings available with this great new communications tool. Because VoIP uses your existing broadband Internet connection, it has the potential to save you the entire amount of your local phone bill.
In addition, VoIP offers long-distance rates that are often as low as a quarter of those offered by standard long distance carriers. The reason for these discounted rates is that VoIP providers do not have to lease or buy space on public telephone networks (PSTN) to process calls. Instead, calls are sent in voice data packets over the Internet to the destination country, where they are then routed onto the PSTN for the last phase of their "journey."
Because VoIP has been shown to be the wave of the future, many existing telecommunications companies are working hard to enter the VoIP marketplace. Verizon VoIP service is an example of this expansion. Verizon has long been a leader in the telecommunications field, offering such diverse services as wireless telephony, Broadband Internet for home and business customers, local telephone service, and long distance for residential, business, and enterprise clients. Verizon VoIP service is thus a logical evolution for this telecommunications giant, and a great way for Verizon customers to make the most of their Verizon DSL broadband Internet connection.
Verizon VoIP service offers many great features. Among these features is the ability to choose an area code from almost anywhere. This allows friends and family in that area to telephone you for free with no long distance charges - no matter how far away you live. Your friends and family will not be the only ones saving money. However, depending on the plan you choose you may have unlimited calling within the United States and Canada, as well as long distance rates that beat even Verizon's own low standard long distance charges.
Another great feature is the ability to take your phone number with you wherever you go: you can be at home anywhere in the world, provided you bring your telephone adapter and hook it up to any high speed Internet connection. You can also access your voice mail on the web in a variety of media player formats, and change your service options (such as caller ID or call waiting) and billing options instantly online. Verizon VoIP promises to save you money on long distance and local telephone costs. With all of VoIP's cost savings, and the possibility of bundling services with Verizon's other telecommunications offerings, it is clear that Verizon VoIP is a great service option for both residential and business customers.
