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March 30, 2004

Vonage To Offer Wi-Fi VoIP Phones

By Nancy Gohring

Vonage said that it will start offering VoIP phones that operate on Wi-Fi networks later this year: The phones will let subscribers make and receive phone calls when in range of a Wi-Fi network, either in their homes or public places. A Vonage exec said the move is in response to AT&T’s announcement that it is offering VoIP in Texas and New Jersey.

The market for VoIP services is definitely getting crowded so anything that can differentiate a service will help. Vonage has a market leadership position as an early VoIP provider so it makes sense for it to be a leader in extending VoIP to Wi-Fi networks.

I suspect that VoIP Wi-Fi phones will be most useful in homes or businesses. Users will be disappointed if they hope to carry the phone around everywhere and expect it to work like a cell phone. The phones will only work in very limited areas outside of the home and office. Vonage and any other provider that offers such a service will have to be very careful how they market it.

Vonage doesn’t seem to have issued an official announcement with any more information about the service.

Posted by nancyg at March 30, 2004 9:49 AM

Categories: Voice

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