Perth-based telco Clarinet Australia today launched a package of unlimited untimed calls using its voice over internet protocol technology.
Perth-based telco Clarinet Australia today launched a package of unlimited untimed calls using its voice over internet protocol technology.
VoIP phone services are cheaper than traditional telephone technology and while uptake for the technology has not yet gained significant traction locally, it is prominent worldwide.
This is evidenced by the fact that in the United States, major cable companies have halted expansion on traditional telephone services in favour of VoIP, and this is accompanied by a corresponding drop in people using traditional telephony.
In explaining the technology, Clarinet director Greg Pennefather said that customers don't need a computer to run its voice over internet telephone service.
"The technology Clarinet uses is not peer to peer or computer to computer. Customers just need a broadband connection, the Clarinet box and a telephone. It's that simple," Mr Pennefather said.
Clarinet Australia was formed in 2004 and is the Australasian arm of Clarinet International, which has been providing network integration services worldwide since 2002.
The Australian operation was established specifically to capitalise on Clarinet International's expertise in satellite and internet telephone technology and services.
Launched to the Australian market in December 2005, Clarinet has been a pioneer of the use of broadband internet connections to provide similar services to other telephone companies in Australia.
Clarinet's offering is targeting consumers who spend $100 or more each month on their phone bills and has three options all for a fixed cost of $24.95 per month.
The One Country One Plan gives unlimited untimed local long distance Australia-wide calls, the One World One Plan provides unlimited and untimed calls to one country of your choice, and the One Hundred Bucks One Plan offers $100 worth of calls per month for mobiles, local, long distance, and international calls.
Below is the announcement from Clarinet:
Clarinet, Australia's newest Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone company, has launched a marketing campaign today targeting consumers who are spending around $100 a month or more on their phone bills.
Clarinet is offering a simple alternative to existing VoIP tariff plans with a 'One Rate' approach. The three plans launched this week all have a monthly rate of $24.95 with unlimited and un-timed calls. The plans are:
One Country One Plan - unlimited and untimed local, long distance, Australia-wide calls;
One World One Plan - unlimited and untimed calls to one country of your choice; and
One Hundred Bucks One Plan - $100 worth of calls per month including calls to mobile, local, long distance, and international calls
As with other Australian VoIP providers, customers will need to purchase the Clarinet phone adaptor, retailing for $149, to get started.
Clarinet Director Greg Pennefather said that the three plans on offer were cheaper than competitors yet there were no contracts to sign and you only needed a broadband connection, not a computer.
"The technology Clarinet uses is not peer to peer or computer to computer. Clarinet customers don't even need a computer. Like US company, Vonage, which boasts more than one million customers, Clarinet customers just need a broadband connection, the Clarinet box and a telephone. It's that simple," Mr Pennefather said.
"People can log on to the website www.clarinet.com.au to sign up, or alternatively ring 1300 786 682 and speak to a real person."
ABOUT CLARINET
Clarinet Australia Pty Ltd was formed in 2004 as the Australian arm of Clarinet's US-based global network integration services called ITC (see www.itcglobal.net).
Clarinet founders were among the pioneers of telephony and broadband ISP in Australia. Clarinet has offices in Perth, New York, Florida, Peru and Sydney and provides 24 hour-a-day coverage to clients across three continents.
About VoIP
VoIP technology is booming worldwide. In the US, the biggest cable companies have halted expansion on traditional telephone services in favour of VoIP.
The corresponding drop in people using traditional telephony in the US is equally dramatic.
Australians are traditionally early adopters of new technology and VoIP will be no exception. Independent providers such as Clarinet offering state-of-the-art telephone services cheaper than traditional, cable phone services, are set to follow the US trend.
