Woosh Launches VoIP Phone Services in New Zealand

company promises households and small businesses will save on the cost of telephone services as broadband provider Woosh Wireless starts rolling out phone packages over its network this month.

Woosh will offer free local calling to all customers. Phone connections to residential customers and small businesses requiring up to two phone lines are available from NZ$20 per month on top of its broadband plans.

All national calls and international calls to 35 destinations will cost a flat rate of NZ$0.10 cents per minute, which represents significant further savings. Voicemail and caller display services will come at no extra charge.

The company says an advantage of its phone service is the ease to install, connecting directly to a standard or cordless telephone. As with Woosh broadband, portability is another significant advantage of the new phone service. Customers changing address within areas of Woosh coverage can simply take their phone and broadband services with them.

The focus for the phone roll-out is on Auckland first, with Wellington, Christchurch and Southland following in the next few months.

Woosh is currently expanding its 3G broadband wireless network in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Southland and is planning its roll out in other regions. It is using voice-over-IP to offer the phone services, enabling it to deliver significant savings to customers while providing a platform for more applications in the future, such as advanced messaging services.