ATS Intros 1st VoIP Cordless For Lingo

By Greg Scoblete On Jan 8 2007 - 8:00am

American Telecom Services (ATS) will offer its first DECT cordless phone for use with Lingo's VoIP service in the first quarter of 2007, the company said.

The ATS X10001P Digital Clear model will connect to a broadband modem for placing calls over Lingo's network. The unit is expandable up to four handsets and will retail for a suggested $49.99. The phone's base station includes a built-in terminal adapter, router and an additional telephone jack for connecting a fax machine.

The X10002 accessory handset, for a suggested $29.99, features caller ID/call waiting, speakerphone, nine ringtones, handset-to-handset intercom and a key lock. The phone will ship in the first quarter of 2007.

It is the first cordless phone programmed to work with Lingo's service and will also represent a major push into retail for the Mclean, Va.-based service provider. The company's previous forays into brick and mortar had been small, confined to adapters and a PC-centric approach, said Ravi Bhatia, Lingo president.

"This is a new approach, we're really marketing it as a telephony service," Bhatia said.

The company positions itself as a global VoIP provider, he added. Its main domestic plan offers unlimited calling within the United States and to Canada, Puerto Rico and 21 countries (Western Europe, Australia and South Korea) for $21.95 a month. The price includes voice mail, caller ID, online call management and a variety of other calling features.

The company also made two other additions to its Digital Clear line of DECT VoIP phones at International CES. The SP/22101 is expandable up to four handsets and features handset-to-handset intercom, caller ID, 12 ringtones and handset speakerphone.

The SS102 builds off the 101 by adding an external RJ-11 jack for connecting a fax machine.