WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Nov. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- CrystalVoice Communications, Inc. (www.CrystalVoice.com), a leading provider of Voice over the Internet software solutions and United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD), a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services, today announced that CrystalVoice's enterprise-class Internet protocol (IP) voice communications software is the core voice quality technology within the newly launched NetZero Voice, Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) Internet phone service.
The software enables United Online to deliver quality Internet phone calling over both dial-up and broadband Internet connections, utilizing CrystalVoice's patented Acoustic QoS(tm) technology. The CrystalVoice technology continually monitors the voice flow over the Internet and is able to make real-time data and acoustic adjustments that compensate for low-bandwidth availability or variable Internet conditions. CrystalVoice allows NetZero Voice to deliver high quality calling with a fraction of the bandwidth that other solutions require.
"We searched extensively for the best-suited technology for our VoIP strategy and found nothing that compared to CrystalVoice's Acoustic QoS solution," said Jerry Popek, chief technology officer of United Online. "The solution is not only exceptionally tolerant of the variability of Internet bandwidth, but its scalability, high-availability, and security architecture were very strong."
NetZero Voice was launched last week. It works with virtually any ISP service, dial-up or broadband, and gives the estimated 45 million U.S. dial-up users the opportunity to make free calls using Internet phone calling, an option which has previously been available predominantly for broadband users. There are five value-priced NetZero Voice calling plans ranging from free to $14.95 per month.
"We are thrilled to have selected CrystalVoice's superb technology for NetZero Voice," said Mark R. Goldston, chairman, CEO and president of United Online. "Our technology teams have done a great job to incorporate such a high-quality solution in consumer-friendly NetZero services that offer Internet users the opportunity to enjoy the price savings and feature content of Internet phone calling."
NetZero Voice marks the first time that CrystalVoice's technology has been used in a product sold directly to consumers on a large scale. Enterprises around the world have licensed CrystalVoice software to provide enhanced communications capabilities to support remote and mobile employees, contact centers, branch to branch communication, international operations and eCommerce. Marketed through a large and rapidly expanding global reseller network in addition to a U.S. based direct sales force, CrystalVoice products have earned a reputation for consistent quality, reliability, security and scalability.
"We could not be happier about our association with United Online and the NetZero brand. They have consistently demonstrated their ability to deliver a quality service at a compelling price," said Steve Zola, president and CEO of CrystalVoice. "Millions of users will have the opportunity to benefit from the commitment to quality and value shared by both organizations."
About CrystalVoice
CrystalVoice Communications is a leading provider of Voice over the Internet software solutions. CrystalVoice's award-winning enterprise products include Remote Extension, Click-to-Talk, and Interoffice Voice Trunking. CrystalVoice is a Cisco(r) AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data) Technology partner, a member of the 3Com(r) VoIP Solution Provider Program (VSPP) and a member of the Avaya DevConnect program. Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, the company has developed leading-edge technology to enable clear, reliable voice to be transmitted over the Internet. CrystalVoice provides applications for enterprise communications, eCommerce, customer relationship management, conferencing, distance learning and enhanced telephone services. The CrystalVoice website is www.CrystalVoice.com.
CrystalVoice is a registered trademark and Acoustic QoS is a trademark of CrystalVoice Communications, Inc. Cisco and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. 3Com, the 3Com logo and NBX are registered trademarks and VCX is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective holders.
About United Online
United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD) is a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services through a number of brands, including NetZero, NetZero Voice, Juno, and Classmates. The company's services include Internet access, accelerated dial-up services, Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), premium email, personal web hosting and domain services, photo-sharing services and social networking. United Online is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, with offices in New York City, NY, Renton, WA, San Francisco, CA, Orem, UT, Munich, Germany, Jarfalla, Sweden, and Hyderabad, India. For more information about United Online and its Internet services, please visit http://www.untd.com.