SeedNet, the second-largest ISP (Internet service provider) in Taiwan, and Asustek Computer jointly announced on November 23, the bundling of a free Wagaly Walk USB-interface phone, which uses SeedNet’s mobile-VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) services, with Asustek notebook PCs.
SeedNet’s launch of Wagaly Talk for home-use (fixed-line) VoIP services at the end of 2003 was followed by Wagaly Walk for mobile VoIP services for notebook PCs in late October this year and Wagaly Enterprise VoIP services for businesses shortly afterwards. SeedNet plans to offer Wagaly Look video-VoIP services starting in 2005.
On-net phone communications and faxes via Wagaly are free, while voice and faxes sent over the PSTN (public switched telephone network) from Wagaly are billed at a low rate, beating the prices of equivalent services offered by telecommunication companies, according to Chia-jiun Cherng, president of Digital United, which owns SeedNet.
SeedNet currently has over 20,000 Wagaly subscribers and expects to reach 150,000 subscribers next year, Cherng indicated.
|
Comparison of charge rates (NT$) | ||
|
Type of communications |
Sent from Wagaly Walk |
Chunghwa Telecom* |
|
Domestic long-distance calls |
0.15 per 6 seconds |
0.21 per 6 seconds |
|
Overseas calls to the US and Canada |
0.3 per 6 seconds |
0.56 per 6 seconds |
|
Mobile-phone roaming |
0.35 per 6 seconds |
48.7 per minute |
Source: local web site www.digitalwall.com, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2004.
*The largest operator of fixed-line and mobile communication services in Taiwan
Article translated by Adam Hwang and edited by John McClure
