OT: Verizon Announces Broadband VoIP Phone

[lyons at digitalvoodoo.org (Timothy M. Lyons)]

Not Unix Related but I thought some on this list might be interested.

--Tim

----- Original Message ----- 
From: david.e.young at verizon.com
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:44:15 -0400
Subj: Verizon Announces Broadband VoIP Phone Service

=======================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Media contacts:
July 22, 2004

Eric Rabe
212-395-0500
eric.rabe at verizon.com

Bobbi Henson
212-395-0500
bobbi.henson at verizon.com

John Vincenzo
617-743-4119
john.r.vincenzo at verizon.com

Verizon Rings in Next Generation of Voice Services with VoiceWing Broadband
Phone Service

Verizon Beats the Competition With Most Extensive Commercial Launch of
Residential Voice-Over-IP in America, Offering It Nationally With Area Codes
Covering 139 Markets in 33 States and the District of Columbia

NEW YORK - Digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable-modem broadband users
across America now can take advantage of the latest in voice communications
technology from Verizon.  Starting today, VoiceWing, Verizon's
voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) broadband phone service, is available
nationally in the largest initial commercial offering of a residential VoIP
service in America.

Because VoiceWing is provided over the Internet, customers can choose a
phone number from an extensive list of area codes in 139 markets in 33 states
and the District of Columbia.  VoiceWing subscribers can make calls over any
broadband Internet connection and manage their calls from any computer with
Internet access - regardless of where it is located.  The service also
provides a variety of advanced call-management features such as enhanced call
forwarding and call logs that itemize all calling activity.

"We recognize that along with cost savings, customers want the enhanced
features that new technologies bring," said Bob Ingalls, president of
Verizon's Retail Markets group.  "Our wide range of features makes managing
calls simple and convenient."

VoiceWing Pricing, Availability and Features
VoiceWing allows consumers to make unlimited local and long-distance phone
calls within the United States and certain territories and to benefit from low
per-minute international calling rates.

VoiceWing is priced at $39.95 per month; however, discounts are available.
For instance, subscribers to Verizon Online DSL can get VoiceWing for $34.95 a
month.  Those subscribers can also benefit from an introductory price of
$29.95 a month for the first six months if they order VoiceWing by Oct. 31.
Users of other broadband services will get an introductory price of $34.95 for
the first six months of service if they order VoiceWing by Oct. 31.

Verizon provides VoiceWing subscribers with an adapter that allows them to
use their own telephone with their DSL or cable modem connection to make
VoiceWing calls.  There is a one-time set-up fee of $39.95, and a one-time
shipping and handling charge for shipping the adapter.
Verizon offers customers a 30-day money-back guarantee on its VoiceWing
service.

VoiceWing is available to customers anywhere in the continental United
States and can be purchased at www.verizon.com/voicewing or by calling
1-800-270-5369.

One attractive feature of VoiceWing is that customers can choose their own
area code.  It doesn't have to be the area code where customers live.
VoiceWing telephone numbers are available today with a variety of area
codes from the following states:  Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado,
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington,
Wisconsin, and in the District of Columbia.

VoiceWing provides customers not only traditional services such as
voice mail, caller ID and call waiting, but also advanced features that give
them unprecedented control of  their communications by accessing a special Web
page called the Personal Account Manager.  The features include:

         Call Logs - Itemize all calling activity.  Call Logs list the
caller name, telephone number (if available), date, time-of-day, location and
duration of every incoming and outgoing call made.  Users can easily transfer
contact information directly into their VoiceWing Personal Address Book.

)B?        Voice Mail - Allows customers to view and play their messages by
clicking on the "new voice mail messages" link on the home page.  Messages can
be stored for up to 14 days.

        Click-to-Dial - Automatically dials any telephone number, including
numbers saved in the Call Logs or Address Book.  By clicking on a "hyperlink"
phone number, VoiceWing will dial the number.   When dialing is complete, the
customer's VoiceWing phone will ring, indicating the user should pick up the
handset.

        Speed Dial 10 - Lets users enter or change speed dial shortcuts on
their VoiceWing phones or on their computers.

        Enhanced Call Forwarding - Directs calls to another telephone
number anytime.  By saving Call Forwarding settings on a customer's Personal
Account Manager, VoiceWing calls can quickly be re-directed to another number.

        Feature Scheduling - Allows users to schedule call forwarding or a
call back for a specific date and time of day.

        Personal Address Book - Stores information about a user's most
frequent contacts directly on the Personal Account Manager.  The Click to Dial
feature can then be used with the Address Book.

        Alternate Telephone Number - Customers can make every call they get
from out-of-town family and friends a local call by choosing an Alternate
Telephone Number in their family and friends' area code.  The Alternate
Telephone Number is routed directly to the customer's primary VoiceWing
number.  There is a monthly charge for Alternate Telephone Numbers.


"VoiceWing is a critical part of Verizon's broadband leadership strategy,"
Ingalls said.  "It will bring us new broadband and voice services customers,
and it will give our existing customers new ways to get the most from their
broadband connections.  Our pricing and features meet or beat our competition,
and our availability is one of the best in the industry.  With VoiceWing, we
are embracing the future, and we will continue to introduce a steady stream of
new products that puts the power of broadband to work for our customers."

VoiceWing is provided through Verizon Long Distance.

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's
leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion
in annual revenues.  Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline
and wireless communications in the United States.  Verizon is also the largest
directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and
circulation.  Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless
communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and
Europe.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and
biographies, media contacts and other information are available at Verizon's
News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news.  To receive news
releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized
automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.