Fusion launches free international VoIP

With an Internet version of the 1980s equal access codes, Fusion Telecommunications International launched its free VoIP service this week under the brand efonica. A two-digit prefix (10) added to subscribers’ existing landline or mobile telephone numbers allows them to call each other free of charge.

The company is calling the two additional digits the first worldwide Internet Area Code, but don’t dial “0” for operator and ask for the area code for Fusion; they won’t know. The peer-to-peer service and its associated code are Fusion’s way of trying not to reinvent the wheel with their new service and give customers what they are used to.

“We have created the concept of the Internet area code understanding that consumers would like to maintain their existing calling habits,” said Matthew Rosen, president and CEO. “We didn’t want people to have to start clicking on user names to call one another. We want them to be able to dial a phone number.”

Fusion also wants to eventually move those subscribers up the food chain from free VoIP to a user-configurable pay-for-use model where the user can pick and choose features such as voice-mail and pay for calls outside the Fusion user community. Its efonica Pluspackage will include value-added services for a fee, including voicemail solutions and the ability to call any landline or mobile number throughout the world.

“We will have a monthly recurring plan under $5, which is unheard of in the marketplace,” Rosen said.

Subscribers to the efonica VoIP service can call each other for free anywhere in the world. The free service includes premium calling features such as caller ID with name, call waiting, three-way calling, call forwarding, call transfer, call hold and do not disturb. Softphones can be downloaded from the efonica Web site. They can be used with broadband, dial-up and wireless Internet connections.

Fusion’s session initiation protocol (SIP)-based technology will be used to target international callers in all markets. The service can be used from anywhere, however, Fusion is aiming for users around the world who have traditionally been underserved and burdened with high international calling costs, particularly in developing countries.

Fusion will reach out with a global online advertisement campaign, public relations efforts in key regions, viral marketing and its retail distribution partners.

“We want to be able to cater to the full spectrum of users,” Rosen said. “In the near term we will have various plans geared to meet the needs of international markets. And our Web site will be translated in multiple languages.”

Fusion currently provides its efonica-branded VoIP, Internet access and other Internet services to, from, in and between emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The free service won’t use an advertising model like some other free services. “We believe there is opportunity for that in the future, but for now we’ll go with the two revenue models,” Rosen said.

The company will try to grow a significant subscriber base through free VoIP and then upsell them on other features. “If we can generate interest and enthusiasm on a unique free service, we can distinguish ourselves from all other VoIP companies in the market place,” he said.

Fusion announced today that it has submitted a patent application to seek protection for the creation of the worldwide Internet Area Code, or eNumber.