EarthLink teams with Linksys on VoIP

EarthLink has teamed up with Linksys and Cisco Systems to sell a VoIP package that includes service and hardware.

Initially available only at Fry’s Electronics Boutiques in the Western U.S., the package comes in two flavors. One contains a Linksys Phone Adapter that works with an standard wired or wireless router used in home networking and the other includes a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with a built-in phone adapter for home networking as well as VoIP.

Both come package with the EarthLink trueVoice service, which uses an existing broadband connection and offers unlimited local regional and long-distance calling on home phones.

A Linksys spokeswoman said the VoIP packages will be available at other retail outlets in the coming weeks.

Separately, EarthLink announced that it has chosen Level 3 Communications to provide the VoIP backbone, E911 service and PSTN interconnection for its other VoIP offering, Home Phone Services. EarthLink recently expanded the reach of that offer, following a four-city trial. Working with Covad Communications, EarthLink offers a line-powered VoIP service as a primary line replacement.