More Consumers Can Fire Ma Bell Thanks to EarthLink's Expanded Internet Voice Technology
ATLANTA, Sept. 12 / Consumers in eight additional cities can sign up for a new type of Internet-based telephone service beginning this month, thanks to EarthLink's (NASDAQ:ELNK) DSL and Home Phone Service, which combines convenient, low-cost telephone service with up to 8.0Mbps of ultra-fast high-speed Internet all on one bill.
Unlike traditional types of Internet voice, EarthLink's DSL and Home Phone Service converts the analog voice to a digital signal after the call leaves the consumer's home. This means no special "box" or equipment for consumers to buy and service from all existing phone jacks in a home. In addition, the up to 8.0Mbps of speed gives consumers an Internet connection that's about five times faster than regular high-speed DSL.
New metropolitan areas where EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service is becoming available include:
o Atlanta
o Chicago
o Los Angeles
o Miami
o New York City
o Philadelphia
o San Diego
o Washington, D.C.
The company also has expanded its existing service footprint in San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Dallas. Service areas in new and existing cities will continue to grow throughout the rest of this year.
"EarthLink's Home Phone Service is different and better than any other Internet voice product that consumers may have tried before," said Steve Howe, EarthLink's Vice President of Voice. "Consumers receive all the cost-savings and special telephone features of an Internet-based voice service without installing any special equipment or hardware -- in addition to the super-fast speed of next-generation broadband technology."
Customers can sign up for a bundle of local and long distance phone service and high-speed Internet access using their existing phones, wiring and computer equipment. Like traditional phone service, EarthLink's Home Phone Service will operate during a power outage, support enhanced 911 calling, work with existing phone jacks and equipment, and offer custom calling features.
A Better Voice-over-IP Technology
EarthLink's DSL and Home Phone Service takes advantage of next-generation Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) technology to offer higher- speed broadband access (ADSL 2+, G.SHDSL) and marry the "last mile" of traditional telephone copper wiring from a consumer's home with the advanced features of Voice-over-IP (VoIP). Customers will enjoy high quality service because their calls will be delivered over EarthLink's managed national networks rather than the public Internet.
Features
EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service includes standard phone features like caller id and voice mail, and more innovative tools such as call prioritization and blocking and click-to-dial. Consumers also receive EarthLink's award-winning customer service and Internet tools and services like spamBlocker, VirusBlocker(TM) and Spyware Blocker(TM).
Customers manage their voice service through their myVoice portal, which integrates their phone and e-mail contact information into a single address book. Address book changes are automatically updated regardless of phone numbers, physical addresses or e-mail addresses, ensuring consistency between services. And consumers can log onto their myVoice portal to listen to their voice mails online through an audio file delivered to their e-mail.
Pricing plans for EarthLink's DSL and Home Phone Service start at $49.95 per month. For more information, please go to http://www.earthlink.net/voice/bundles/dslhomephone/.
About EarthLink
"EarthLink. We revolve around you(TM)." As the nation's next generation Internet service provider, Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. Serving over five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal online intrusions and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, voice, web hosting, wireless or "EarthLink Extras" like home networking or security, EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.EarthLink.net.
Source: EarthLink
CONTACT:
Carla Shaw,
EarthLink
+1-404-748-7436, or mobile +1-404-849-1140
shawcm@corp.earthlink.net
Rosemary Jean-Louis,
EarthLink
+1-404-748-7500
jean-louisro@corp.earthlink.net
Web site: http://www.earthlink.net/voice/bundles/dslhomephone
http://www.earthlink.net/
