EarthLink has selected Taiwan-based Accton Technology Corporation to manufacture handsets for the company's Wi-Fi phone initiative. EarthLink is beta testing phones on the company's municipal wireless network in Anaheim, California.
EarthLink Wi-Fi phones will allow consumers to make Internet phone calls from a wireless handset to any traditional landline, cell phone or VoIP phone. The handsets will work directly on EarthLink's municipal wireless networks and can also connect via a wireless router attached to the user's wired home broadband network. Service and the phone handset will be free during the Anaheim beta test. Anticipated price plans for the consumer roll-out after the beta test include:
- $14.95 a month for 500 anytime outbound domestic minutes, and free, unlimited inbound minutes.
- $24.95 for unlimited domestic minutes.
- $100 one-time charge for equipment, including the Wi-Fi phone handset and a cradle that functions as a charger and a Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g router inside the home.
http://www.earthlink.net
