Brussels, 19 September 2007 - Today, Mobistar launches fixed telephony via VoIP technology. Mobistar's ADSL Voice package allows customers to get rid of their Belgacom land-line subscription. From now on, Mobistar customers can call and surf via the Livebox. Mobistar ADSL Voice offers a global solution for the telecom needs of the residential consumers.
Market research shows that 1/3 of all Belgians no longer have a fixed line, 1/3 want to keep their fixed line for domestic use and 1/3 are prepared to give up their fixed line. In February 2007, Mobistar launched Mobistar AtHome for this last group. This offer makes calling to fix numbers in Belgium and abroad using a mobile phone cheaper than with a fixed phone. The success of Mobistar AtHome, currently with nearly 50,000 customers, confirms the strategic choice of the operator.
With Mobistar ADSL Voice, Mobistar is now offering a perfect alternative to residential customers who need a fixed phone. Mobistar's ADSL Voice package offers fixed telephony and internet access without a Belgacom subscription.
Mobistar ADSL Voice offers a global solution for the telecom needs of the residential market. For 48 euros a month, customers have access to broadband internet, fixed telephony based on VoIP technology, 40 hours of call credit to fix numbers in Belgium (24 hours a day), international calls at highly competitive rates, Livebox rental and two DECT phones.
Mobistar ADSL Voice customers will experience this product as extremely userfriendly and convenient. The functions of the conventional fixed phone, such as Voice Mail, second call, CLI (Caller Line Identification) and the use of short numbers (5000 for customer service, 5555 for Voice Mail, etc.) are included in the monthly subscription. Mobistar ADSL Voice customers can keep their current fixed line number without having to continue their subscription with their historic operator.
The customer does not have to install any new telephony infrastructure, but makes use of the existing telephone connection instead, based on the "plug and play" principle. Thanks to the Livebox (the Mobistar ADSL modem), customers call with their DECT phone using VoIP technology and surf wireless using Wi-Fi technology.
The VoIP technology used for fixed telephony is based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and is a full part of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) developed by Mobistar. The voice signal is carried by a dedicated channel (not shared with the internet) and, in contrast to other solutions currently available on the market, is not compressed. This ensures compatibility with all services, such as fax. This specific technology guarantees optimum voice quality, comparable to or even better than conventional fixed telephony.
The internet access offers a download speed of 4 Mbits/s (384 kbits/s upload), 15 GB total volume a month, a 250 MB mailbox and 50 MB of web space. The Livebox allows connection of up to four computers and/or game consoles and wireless surfing using Wi-Fi technology.
With Mobistar ADSL Voice, consumers benefit from a global solution from one operator offering an innovative and competitive product. Customers who choose this package will not only save the monthly subscription charge for their fixed line, but will also have the convenience of one bill and one customer service. The Mobistar ADSL Voice package will be available from 24 September 2007 at all Mobistar Centers.