NetTALK, a platform similar to Vonage that lets users make inexpensive international calls via their WiFi or wireless connection, just announced the launch of several new features, one of which is intended primarily for small business use: 4G LTE wireless telephony service.
The company also introduced a mobile app (netTALK Connect Talk), a messaging app (netTALK Connect Messenger) and a new WiFi version of DUO, its patented hardware device that connects landline phones to the netTALK service.
NetTALK Mobile App Reduces International Calling Costs
In citing the reason for the service, Nick Kyriakides, netTALK co-founder and COO, in an exclusive interview with Small Business Trends, said, “Globally, there are around 50 million expats living in countries in where they were not born. NetTALK helps them by reducing the cost of international calls to between 30 to 40 percent.”
NetTALK has focused on the retail consumer since its founding in 2008, but with the new 4G LTE service, that is changing. Now the company is pivoting toward the small office home office (SOHO) market, with the goal of enlightening small business owners to the advantages of using the service.
Here is a rundown of each of the new features along with their description:
NetTALK Mobile App 4G LTE Wireless Service
Business users (and others) can add 4G LTE service from T-Mobile to the netTALK apps and stay in touch with co-workers worldwide. The Small Biz Plan offers users unlimited talk and text with 10GB of data for $40 per month, plus the price of the SIM card, a one-time fee.
Features include:
- Unlimited international talk and text within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico;
- Unlimited music and video streaming without using data;
- Unlimited international data and text in more than 140 countries;
- 4G data rollover (unused 4G data rolls over to the next month);
- Unlimited customer support;
- No annual contract or credit check.
The service works on virtually any unlocked, GSM-compatible phone, which means users may be able to keep their current device.
Companies can also add multiple phone numbers for little additional cost. U.S. numbers range for $1.99 for one month to $11.99 for one year. Canadian numbers range from $2.99 for one month and $19.99 for one year.
“Businesses that want to appear as having a presence in multiple locations can set up numbers very cheaply,” Kyriakides said. “They can even purchase temporary numbers, in case they travel to other countries for business and don’t wish to incur heavy fees.”
NetTALK Connect Talk App
NetTALK Connect, a new mobile app available for iOS and Android, allows users to have more than one account per app and gives them the chance to purchase a low-cost Canadian or U.S. phone number. This helps them to make cheap international calls from locations all over the world.
Users can:
- Have multiple accounts from one app;
- Purchase inexpensive Canadian or U.S. phone numbers;
- Make calls to mobile and landline phones worldwide while saving up to 40 percent;
- Connect via WiFi, 3G and 4G;
- Get a free conference call bridge with unlimited participants.
“With the Connect Talk app, users can sync up the app to their home phone line (DUO), “Kyriakides said. “Now, whether they are traveling internationally or are in the office, users never miss a phone call. It comes through their smartphone application.”
NetTALK Connect Messaging App
The Connect Messaging app allows users to send and receive messages with netTALK’s secure messaging service with built-in VPN. Messaging between app-to-app is free, there is no limit of messages between app users and users can send and receive messages from anywhere in the world.
Similar to the Connect Talk app, users can also “go mobile” with the netTALK DUO, which enables messaging using their DUO home phone number while on-the-go.
Also, the app features message delay and undo (users can “unsend” a message), native emoji support and no advertising — a trait some other messaging services can’t boast.
DUO WiFi
NetTALK now offers a WiFi version of its award-winning VoIP device and digital phone service, DUO.
The netTALK DUO enables free nationwide calls to any phone in Canada and the U.S. from anywhere in the world, as well as low international rates. No computer is necessary as the netTALK DUO plugs directly into a router or modem — and now works via WiFi as well thanks to the new version.
The reason for introducing the WiFi version had to do with convenience, according to Kyriakides.
“Lots of people’s routers are in weird places in their home, such as basements or cabinets that are hard to get to,” Kyriakides said. “DUO WiFi can plugin where it’s convenient — a living room or kitchen, for example. It works just like a wireless printer.”
Image: netTalk
This article, "NetTALK Adds New Features to International Call Service for Expats, Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends
No comments:
Post a Comment