FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18th 2004
Reliable Internet Telephone Services Now Available in Metro Area
Minnesota-based 'competitive local niche' telecom provider Sound Choice Communications today announced that they have initiated a 'free' beta testing program for their new, highly flexible over-the-Internet telephone services. Regular residential and commercial Voice-over-Internet (VoIP) services 'including the first full E911 service in the metro area' will be available as of June 1, according to SCC owner Eric Osterberg.
E911 services, also known as enhanced 911, provides location information to 911 operators who can then immediately dispatch the appropriate emergency response providers. At an informal meeting of the Public Utilities Commission in March of this year, Qwest Communications spokesperson Mary Ferguson informed the commission that Qwest currently has no plans to support E911 protocols. AT&T states that due to technological limitations, they are not capable of providing such services at this time.
At a recent meeting of the Metropolitan 911 Board, various participants voiced their concern that neither Qwest or AT&T had managed to bring enhanced 911 services to the area (Qwest has said there is no demand for such services and AT&T claims it lacks the capability). One participant voiced his 'amazement' that a small local ISP, Sound Choice Communications, is able to offer these services when Qwest and AT&T declined the opportunity because they were 'not required' to provide this service.
VoIP telephone services require computer users to buy or lease a $99 Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA). Once installed, customers have a wide range of included services at their fingertips, ranging from real time access to billing records to the ability to retrieve Voice Mail messages via the Internet, as well as all the dialing features offered by Qwest including Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Transfer, Last Call Return, 3-Way Calling, custom Music on Hold, Distinctive Ring, etc. Transmission quality is indistinguishable from regular phone conversations due to improvements in VoIP technology. Long distance rates are currently set at 3.5 cents a minute, and plans are in place to include additional new features as they become feasible. Want a new phone line? Just plug a new box into your Internet connection and Sound Choice Communications will flip the switch immediately (no more three-day waits).
Users of VoIP technology also have the option of taking their phone on vacation with them. VoIP technology permits forwarding calls to your cell phone, or you can just take the ATA with you and hook it up to any other computer with broadband access to the Internet. New VoIP customers have the option of retaining their existing phone number when transferring services.
Sound Choice Communications LLC Beta test end user agreement.
This is an Agreement between you (the "Tester") and Sound Choice Communications LLC ("SCCOM").
In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, SCCOM and Tester agree as follows:
Tester will be provided with preview access to local services before access is offered to the general public.
Tester shall, as an uncompensated volunteer and not as an employee or independent contractor, test SCCOM's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Telephone Services.
Tester will report any bugs, comments or suggestions concerning the Service via available means such as email to staff@soundchoicecomm.com or telephone to +1-651-999-0888.
Tester shall hold in strict confidence all materials of any nature provided by SCCOM to Tester, including, without limitation, the access device, the web interface, marketing materials and make no disclosure of any nature whatsoever regarding any such materials and use such materials solely in connection with Tester's proper performance hereunder. This Paragraph shall remain in full force and effect after any termination of this Agreement.
The Tester understands that any services or access to service being tested maybe revoked without any obligations by Sound Choice Communications LLC.
Either party can terminate this Agreement at any time for any reason effective immediately upon notice to the other party.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning its subject matter and may be amended or waived only by a written instrument executed by both parties.
Terms of beta test program
Equipment deposit of $50 dollars, refundable upon return.User must have an established relationship with our sister company SCC.NET.
User must sign above NDA agreement and pickup equipment from SCCOM offices.
Replacement cost or purchase price for equipment is $99.95
Users will recieve free local services, and toll charges within US in exchange for testing services, and providing SCCOM with feedback to improve product.
Offer of free services will expire when service or product becomes available to general public. See agreement above.
Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2004 Sound Choice Communications LLC, Minnesota, USA