I-Link Brings Enhanced IP Telephony Services to BigZoo.com's Pre-paid, Long Distance Customers
BigZoo joins the I-Link GateLink Partners Pavillion
DRAPER, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2000--I-Link, Inc. (Nasdaq: ILNK) an enhanced voice/data service provider, today announced that it will be establishing the IP backbone and hosting platform for Bigzoo.com Corporation, a fast-growing portal that provides a comprehensive range of innovative communication services based in Los Angeles.
BigZoo.com will be using Gatelink(TM), I-Link's open-API programming platform, to port its domestic long distance service offerings from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to the I-Link enhanced Internet Protocol (IP) communications network and to offer an array of new features to its customer-base of 150,000 users.
"We decided to partner with I-Link because it enables us to integrate and bring to market our existing and new services in a very short time with an experienced leader in IP-based enhanced services," said Yong Lee, Chairman and CEO of BigZoo.com Corporation. "The newly integrated technology will deliver a significantly larger number of facilities and services to BigZoo.com users, including click-to-talk, web-based conferencing and voice/fax unified messaging services using I-Link's Gatelink development platform."
Starting in July 2000, millions of BigZoo.com calls will take place over I-Link's real-time Internet Protocol (RTIP) network. BigZoo.com users who currently enjoy the simplicity of instant web-based signup and access to prepaid communications services worldwide, will be provided with a wider range of enhanced services and Direct Inbound Dialing (DID) numbers and toll-free numbers (http://www.bigzoo.com/).
"By utilizing the I-Link network and developing services using the GateLink programming platform, we are ensuring that BigZoo is powered by the most advanced IP communications platform," added Yong Lee. "I-Link offers us a scalable and smooth transition path towards developing a suite of future communications services based on IP Telephony. This is a partnership which builds on the marketing and development strengths of both companies to rapidly deploy services which have an immediate impact on the use of enhanced voice and data services by individuals and small and medium-sized businesses."
"Companies such as BigZoo.com are embracing enhanced services to differentiate themselves from the ever-growing throng of phone service providers," said John Edwards, Chairman and CEO of I-Link. "By using GateLink, they can rapidly and cost-effectively leverage our investment in building a global IP telephony network with innovative services. The relationship between I-Link and BigZoo.com is a wonderful example of how an open-API platform benefits companies and consumers alike."
About I-Link
Headquartered in Draper, Utah, I-Link (Nasdaq: ILNK) is an enhanced voice/data service provider. With its software defined network architecture, I-Link simplifies the delivery of unified communications today. I-Link offers a full range of enhanced services such as one-number call routing, caller screening, unified voice, fax, pager and e-mail messaging, voice-and fax-on-demand, conference calling and seamless call transfer from cell phone to land-line and vice-versa via a direct connection to its nationally deployed Internet Protocol telephony network. For further information visit I-Link's Web site at i-link.net.
About BigZoo.com Corporation
BigZoo.com, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is a leading provider of pre-paid global communications services to Internet-savvy consumers and small and medium-size businesses. Through its Web Portal: www.Bigzoo.com, users can instantly signup for domestic and international communications services, beginning with a flat rate 3.9 cents/minute rate for domestic long distance calls. For value-conscious customers, BigZoo.com's Bargain Sites sub-portal aggregates and ranks a wide range of web sites offering products and services targeted at small/medium-size businesses and college students. All communications and E-Commerce transactions on BigZoo.com are accessible via BigZoo.com's website. For further information please visit BigZoo.com's Web site at bigzoo.com or contact Asha Bala at 213-426-6508 (abala@bigzoo.com). |
