CAMBRIDGE, ON – An Ontario company says that it has developed a free, mobile alternative to the residential phone line.
Fibernetics, a self-described “market-disruptor in the Canadian telecommunications industry”, has partnered with beer giant Budweiser on a VoIP service called freephonelince.ca. Available to Canadian users only, the ‘Bud Phone’ works by downloading a free softphone application which then turns any Mac or PC into a phone line equipped with a local, seven-digit phone number, fully enhanced voicemail service, follow-me capabilities, and VoIP 911 services. Users can then use this number to receive free calls no matter where they are in the world, and make free local and long distance calls to numerous cities across Canada.
"We’re thrilled to partner with the Budweiser team and the creative team at Grip Limited to bring Bud Phone to Canadians," said freephoneline.ca and Fibernetics CEO, Jody Schnarr, in a statement. "This campaign is aimed at young Canadians, the decision-makers of tomorrow, who care about mobility, affordability and free communication access."
With the dramatic increase in popularity of Skype, Fibernetics said that it saw an opportunity to improve upon traditional VoIP services for residential users in Canada by offering them a transportable and lasting phone number.
"What we’re aiming to do is take the ‘home’ out of ‘home phone line’ by offering a free service that will allow users to keep in touch while remaining mobile and flexible," said CMO John Stix. “"We hope to reinvent the traditional landline by offering unprecedented flexibility."
Budweiser said that it will launch the Bud Phone (pictured) via its Facebook fan page, and through other social media channels.
"The Budweiser brand is all about social engagement and connecting people. That makes freephoneline.ca the ideal partnership for us," said Christine Hamilton, associate brand manager for Budweiser. "We recognize that young people want to be in constant contact with one another and that they spend the majority of their time on the computer. Bud Phone meets their communication needs, turning their computer into a fully-functioning phone, and provides us with a way to give back to our fans and say thank you."
