MONTREAL – At a press conference this morning, Videotron introduced its new softphone service, geared towards providing individuals with greater mobility.
Available as of October 31, 2007, Videotron’s new computer-based service (which we reported on earlier this week) gives users more flexibility when traveling, the ability to make local calls anywhere in the world, and other communications management capabilities.
"We are confident that this telephone service will prove popular because it is the only product that presents capabilities such as video, multiple call service/call management, quality of service and mobility all in one product. We believe consumers are ready for this product, which delivers many advantages in terms of user-friendliness and communications management, as well as financial savings,” said Manon Brouillette, senior vice-president, marketing, content and product development.
To help introduce its newest product and explain its benefits, Videotron mustered a set of fictional characters who reflect the profile of softphone users. They will tell customers how they use the softphone.
Paolo, a student whose only number is his cell phone, signed up for Videotron’s softphone service because it lets him receive calls on his computer, which makes sense since he spends several hours a day on his laptop.
Kathy is a freelancer who often has to go to the customer’s premises. She decided to replace her second phone line with a softphone and now has full control over all her calls, thanks to call forwarding and other features, such as Do not disturb when she is in a meeting.
John is a businessman who often travels by plane. His softphone works with all types of Internet access services. It lets him stay in touch without paying long-distance charges since he can use his local line everywhere on the planet, a considerable saving.
William is a pensioner who flies south with his wife every year. He decided to install Videotron’s softphone on his computer so they could watch their six grandchildren grow up across the thousands of kilometres that separate them during the winter. Not only can they see the kids through the softphone’s built-in video feature, they also save money on all their long-distance calls to boot.
"The softphone will appeal to a wide audience, from the tech-savvy to those with little interest in new technology," added Brouillette. "Our goal is to offer a telephone product that suits consumers’ lifestyles. Videotron’s softphone has been designed for fast, economical and practical use at all times. The young and the not-so-young, self-employed workers and businesspeople, students and travellers will all see substantial benefits from using the service."
Videotron Business Solutions will also launch a pilot project on November 14 to test its own version of the softphone. Fifty small and medium-sized businesses are being sought to help evaluate a series of functionalities that will be added to the product in order to meet the needs of Videotron’s business customers.
The pilot project will run until January 2008. Businesses that are interested in taking part are asked to contact Videotron Business Solutions at (514) 380-7000 or via the web at www.videotron.com/affaires. Details of the Business Solutions softphone will be announced in early 2008.
