BOCA RATON, Fla.(BUSINESS WIRE)July 12, 2004--
-- Level 3 to Bring Direct Inbound Dial Technology to i2Telecom’s VoIP Platform --
i2Telecom International, Inc. (OTCBB:ITUI), an emerging leader in voice/data communications technology for the Internet, today announced that it will use voice services from Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) to introduce Direct Inbound Dial (DID) capability to i2Telecom’s Advanced Digital Voice platform™. With the addition of Level 3’s (3)VoIP(SM) Local Inbound service, i2Telecom’s customers can leverage the Company’s end-to-end Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network to receive calls that originate from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through their InternetTalker™ microgateway devices anywhere in the world.

The benefits of the new agreement with Level 3 include i2Telecom’s ability to assign a traditional phone number, complete with local area code, to its easy-to-deploy InternetTalker devices. This means that businesses can use i2Telecom’s VoIP network to establish a presence in over 300 different markets across the United States — enabling people to dial a US local number from any phone to reach them regardless of where they are located.

«The ability to receive inbound calls from the PSTN means that i2Telecom customers can now use VoIP to reap significant savings on both inbound and outbound long distance phone calls,» commented Rick Scherle, Senior Vice President of Marketing at i2Telecom International, Inc. «By tapping into Level 3’s network, we are extending the power of our Advanced Digital Voice platform and continuing our commitment to partner with elite players for the benefit of our customers.»

i2Telecom’s proprietary Advanced Digital Voice platform™ (ADV) is a tightly integrated combination of hardware, software and ’talkware’ for next generation VoIP solutions. It consists of a new architecture for the Company’s microgateway products, innovative applications built to SIP standard, a global VoIP network, a global PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) interconnect network, and geographically dispersed Network Operation Centers.

«We’re pleased that i2Telecom elected to expand its VoIP platform using our voice origination services,» said Kevin Dundon, senior vice president of Wholesale Voice Services for Level 3. «We look forward to supporting i2Telecom’s low-cost, powerful and easy to use VoIP solution with new local number capabilities reaching more than 80 percent of the U.S. population.»

Businesses and consumers utilize i2Telecom’s VoIP technology to substantially reduce long-distance telecommunication costs. Customers now have access to easy-to-deploy VoIP solutions that easily interface with existing telephone systems. In addition to end-user customer benefits, i2Telecom’s Partnership Program enables telephony and IT Value-Added Resellers (VARs) to offer the business market a complete VoIP solution while earning income from each sale and recurring monthly revenues from minutes of usage.

About i2Telecom International, Inc.

i2Telecom International, Inc. (OTCBB:ITUI) is a low-cost telecommunications service provider employing next generation Voice over Internet Protocol («VoIP») technology with operations based in Boca Raton, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Redwood City, California; Malaysia and China. The Company controls its own proprietary technology and outsources its production and service functions to strategic partners. i2Telecom International provides microgateway adapters (InternetTalker™, Morpheus Voicebox™, EVoIP-4010™), VoIP long distance and other enhanced communication services to subscribers, and its proprietary technology platform is built to the Session Initiation Protocol («SIP») standard. i2Telecom International’s revenue model is multi-faceted and includes prepaid revenue from the sale of its InternetTalker™ integrated access devices, recurring monthly subscriptions, call minute termination fees and original equipment manufacturer royalties. For additional information visit www.i2telecom.com.

(3)VoIP is a service mark of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. (3)VoIP Local Inbound service is offered by Level 3 Communications, LLC.

SAFE HARBOR Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including, but not limited to, product acceptance, economic, competitive, governmental, results of litigation, technological and/or other factors which are outside the control of the company. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on such factors as changes in general economic conditions and financial or equity markets, technological changes, and other business risk factors. i2 Telecom does not assume, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

By Colin C. Haley

Inflexion Communications has launched with a new approach to selling Voice over Internet protocol (define) services to cash-strapped municipal governments and nonprofits.

The Detroit firm’s Xtend IP program aims to help public sector decision-makers answer two questions: How do we spend dollars more effectively for communications services? How do we redirect those savings to create commerce or jobs?

It’s equal parts consulting, technology education and community development.

In addition to savings of up to 30 percent by switching from circuit-switched to VoIP phone systems, Inflexion also promises to earmark a portion of revenue to fund local business plans. «That way, cities can be active in the (venture capital) environment,» CEO Dwayne Goldsmith said during a conference call with reporters.

The startup’s first Xtend IP customer is the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, a public-private group looking to keep businesses in the city and attract new ones. It is talking to about a half-dozen other potential customers.

Goldsmith, a former Ameritech executive, said Inflexion is licensed in 19 markets and will concentrate areas that are «underserved» by SBC (Quote, Chart), Verizon (Quote, Chart) and other established carriers.

Besides public sector clients, Inflexion will pursue small and medium business customers such as those spending between $2,000 and $8,000 per month on telecom services. On the consumer side, Inflexion will focus on low-income consumers using prepaid calling cards. In September it bought three prepaid companies to establish a national VoIP system.

Inflexion received seed funding from Fleet Bank. It uses Broadsoft’s hosted VoIP service and customer premise equipment from several vendors. Its traffic flows on private networks, so it doesn’t experience delays along the public Internet.

Although there’s a lot of interest in all quarters for VoIP service, there’s also a lot of competition. Regional and long-distance telecoms are rolling out versions of the service, as are cable companies like Time Warner and startups like Vonage.

Goldsmith hopes that his team’s experience in dealing with the regulatory process, as well as its focus on underserved areas, will give it an edge.

No longer obscure, VoIP is catching on with major telecoms

By DAN RICHMAN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Save 20 percent on your phone bill and get cool features that just aren’t possible with conventional phone service?

That sounded good to Bainbridge Island’s Bob Silver, who in September began using a once-obscure technology that suddenly seems irresistible to major telecom players: Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.

Within the past 10 days, three of the voip provider, internet calling // [ source ]