Internet Telephone by IDT
IDT Announces Plans to Release Phone-to-Phone Technology Via the Internet
Leading Telecommunications and Internet Provider Utilizes Its Strengths to
Deploy Lowest-Cost Calling Technology Using Traditional Telephones
HACKENSACK, N.J., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- IDT Corporation (Nasdaq: IDTC)
announced plans today to release a new technology that will enable users to
place calls via the Internet using traditional telephones while still
maintaining high sound quality. The service, Net2Phone Direct, reduces the
cost of international calls to approximately the cost of a local call. Beta
release is scheduled for November 1, with a live release date on January 1,
1997.
"We have reached a unique and extraordinary milestone in the computer
telephony industry," says IDT Founder and CEO Howard Jonas. "We've become one
of the leading global markets in both the telecom and Internet industries, and
now with our Net2Phone Direct, we can effectively utilize all of our strengths
to create the most cost-effective method of voice communications."
The service's network switching infrastructure is based on IDT's
proprietary Net2Phone model, where users can place calls from their PCs to any
telephone in the world. The pricing model is similar to Net2Phone, where
international calls can be placed for as little as 10 cents a minute. Unlike
other Internet telephony products, Net2Phone Direct's sound quality is
equivalent to dialing on a LAN, and will be full-duplex.
Users of the phone-to-phone service will be able to call a local or toll-
free access number, available in most areas, which will connect the call to an
inbound switch server. This server will convert the call from the telephone's
circuit switch network to the Internet's packet switch network. The system
will then prompt the user to enter both their account number and telephone
number they wish to reach. The call will be carried over the Internet to an
outbound switch server located within, or in close proximity to, the country
of destination. That server, in turn, will switch the call onto the local
telephone network, and complete the call. Because the call only travels a
short distance on the circuit switch network, the total cost of the call
should be minimal.
Previously, Internet telephony systems required callers to have multimedia
computers and Internet connections, which limited the use of Internet phone
products to avid surfers. Now, the general public can reap the benefits of
Internet telephony without having to purchase costly equipment.
IDT plans to unveil Net2Phone Direct worldwide by January 1, and begin
marketing its services to both business and residential customers for calls
originating in New York on November 1. Negotiations are underway with
representatives in over 100 countries to offer the service overseas by its
live release date.
The unveiling of Net2Phone Direct positions IDT as a market leader in both
Internet telephony and international telecommunications, due to the Company's
vast expertise in global infrastructure and international communications.
"We're thrilled about the upcoming release of this service," said
Net2Phone Director Janine Kutliroff. "This is an ever-changing market, and
since its inception, IDT has been a leader in Internet Telephony, and now it
is bringing this technology to the next level."
IDT Corporation
IDT Corporation is a leading full service telecommunications company
offering integrated and bundled telephone, Internet access, and Internet
telephony services. The Company provides global long distance telephone
services in 120 countries for individuals, businesses, and other long distance
carriers. IDT is also one of the country's largest Internet service
companies, providing dial-up access to individuals and dedicated access to
corporate customers nationwide. The Company recently introduced Net2Phone --
the first commercial telephone service to bridge live calls between the
Internet and regular telephones at rates up to 95% below traditional
international calling charges. For more information, please visit
www.net2phone.com.
SOURCE IDT Corporation
If we don't get off the ground in the near future these players will have the market. Still long.
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