BT trialling new PC Web and telephones service aimed at service providers


UK, -/May 28, 2004 Wi-Fi Technology News/-BT announced that it is trialling a new wholesale service aimed at service providers that will enable end users to set up voice calls from their telephones using their PCs to select contacts from web-based directories or telephone numbers on web-sites. Users will be able to call to numbers from their phones simply by using their PC mouse and without dialling any digits.

Known as Wholesale Web Call Connect (WWCC), the product will combine the convenience of web-based online directories with the voice quality of the standard telephone network (PSTN). It will mean that numbers will no longer need to be looked up and then dialled; voice calls can be set up with about the same effort as it takes to send an email.

WWCC works by using an interface called Parlay X that enables different types of networks to work together in a relatively seamless fashion. The trial demonstrates BT's determination to combine positive attributes from different networks, in this case PSTN, internet (IP) and even mobile to provide a compelling end-user product.

Calls can be set up to a range of different numbers, including mobile, international, premium rate, Freecall and voice over IP. For the trial a set up charge of 0.7p will be applied to each call and then standard wholesale rates will apply to the call itself.

A number of telecom operators will shortly be invited to join the trial, which is expected to begin in July 2004 and will last for around two months. The trial will allow the technology and associated processes to be trialed in a live customer environment.

Bruce Stanford, director of products for BT Wholesale, said: "Web Call Connect is a good demonstration of the sort of innovative service from BT that customers will be able to experience over the next few years. By combining traditional telephone calls with broadband and the internet we can provide a simple and effective way for people to save time and use readily-available contact information in a much more effective manner - just 'click to dial'.

We are looking forward to seeing how the trial develops so that people can begin to use this compelling service as quickly as possible."

Note:
The end-customer experience will be like this: customer will select a contact from a directory held on their PC or online. They will click for this number to be called using the WWCC software. The call will be routed via the WWCC platform, the calling customer's phone will ring, and when they lift the handset they will hear ring tone. When the called end answers they will be connected as though it was a normal call.

About BT Wholesale
BT Wholesale is at the heart of BT Group, providing network services and solutions to communication companies throughout the UK. BT Wholesale provides comprehensive network services within the UK to more than 500 communication companies, network operators and service providers, including other BT businesses - BT Retail, BT Global Services and BT Openworld.
http://www.bt.com