There is a new OTT VoIP offer available to residential subscribers today, courtesy of long time VoIP provider Vonage. BasicTalk launched on May 14th and offers a no-frills residential VoIP service for $9.99 per month, and is a new service brand from Vonage.
“BasicTalk provides extraordinary value in low-cost home phone service at a flat rate of just $9.99 per month, every month (plus taxes and government fees). BasicTalk offers unlimited calling throughout the U.S. with no upfront costs, no contract, no hidden fees, no renewal charges, no cost to keep an existing home phone number and no compromises on quality,” reports BasicTalk in the press release announcing the new service.
The service can be purchased online at BasicTalk.com or at participating Walmart stores. The service is targeting the low end residential voice market with an aggressively priced home phone service. BasicTalk is a VoIP service which runs over-the-top of the customer’s existing broadband line – much the same way that Vonage operates today. BasicTalk says their service provides voicemail, caller ID, call waiting and 911 emergency service.
“We learned from multiple pre-market tests that despite increasing cell phone usage, there remains a strong desire for a simple, low-cost, domestic home phone service,” said Jo Ann Tizzano, Director of Communications for BasicTalk in the press release.
No-frills include limited customer service. Customers have to rely on online chat or email for customer or technical support. BasicTalk’s website does not even list a phone number to call. Activation of the service is accomplished online as well.
BasicTalk is appealing to customers who want to save money or just want a very basic phone line in their home. Their strategy illustrates the need for incumbent phone companies to offer flexible home phone options, including a low cost option for those who are not interested in lots of features or still want home phone service, but at a very low cost.
