Puerto Rico Telephone Launches Voice Over IP Service, Using 2Wire Solutions

Puerto Rico Telephone Launches Voice Over IP Service, Using 2Wire Solutions SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Puerto Rico Telephone (PRT), a Verizon affiliate and the leading telecommunications provider in Puerto Rico, has launched its new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, using the HomePortal(R) residential gateway and Phone Port HPNA voice adapter from 2Wire, a provider of broadband service platforms for the DSL market. PRT's new PhoneMax service combines traditional voice features with a rich set of multimedia services designed to integrate a subscriber's home phone, mobile phone, and PC into an easy-to-use personal or family communication system. Leveraging existing 2Wire HomePortal residential gateways already in subscribers' homes, PRT can provide new VoIP functionality to these units remotely, without ever visiting the customer. A 2Wire Phone Port adapter will then be used in conjunction with any conventional telephone to turn that phone into a VoIP telephone line. Setup is extremely simple and intuitive and, by converting existing telephones in any room into VoIP lines, new flexibility is enabled, such as economically adding additional phone lines without any new wiring. By providing subscribers with 2Wire HomePortal residential gateways with CD-less Greenlight(TM) installation, PRT already enables easy set up of home networking, including high-powered wireless Internet access throughout the home and advanced broadband services such as parental controls, firewall monitoring, and Web-based remote access. "At PRT, we are committed to creating the best telephone and broadband experience available for our home and business subscribers," said Thomas Perez Ducy, chief marketing officer for PRT. "We have been providing our subscribers with 2Wire's HomePortal residential gateways with the understanding that this would enable us to easily expand our service offerings to new and existing subscribers, with minimal new investment. Now that we are ready to offer VoIP services, we are able to do so by providing subscribers with simple adapters and remote software upgrades to the existing 2Wire equipment." "It has been an honor and a pleasure working with PRT in its deployment of advanced digital services throughout Puerto Rico," said Ted Fagenson, 2Wire's vice president of international sales. "PRT has been extremely aggressive in deploying VoIP services and leveraging the capabilities of the HomePortal residential gateway to keep subscribers up-to-date with the latest services that maximize the digital lifestyle. We are proud to be part of these exciting developments." About Puerto Rico Telephone Puerto Rico Telephone is an affiliate of Verizon Communications and a leading telecommunication provider in Puerto Rico. The company was a pioneer in launching the most advanced technology in voice, data and wireless services, including a 100% digital infrastructure, a sophisticated ATM network and the most powerful wireless network on the island. These advanced technologies have served as the main engines of economic growth and development in Puerto Rico. Verizon Communications is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately US$68 billion in annual revenues. About 2Wire 2Wire is a provider of broadband service platforms for the DSL market. 2Wire's suite of solutions offers DSL providers an integrated 'triple-play' of data, voice, and media services. 2Wire's products and services include the award-winning HomePortal(R) residential gateways, the MediaPortal(TM) set top box, and a robust Component Management System (CMS) for service management and provisioning. 2Wire's products are distributed exclusively by the major DSL service providers including SBC Internet Services, British Telecom plc and Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. Headquartered in San Jose, California, 2Wire was founded in July 1998 by Brian L. Hinman, a co-founder of PictureTel Corporation and Polycom, Inc. NOTE: 2Wire and HomePortal are registered trademarks of 2Wire, Inc. MediaPortal, Greenlight, and HyperG are trademarks of 2Wire, Inc. Source: 2Wire, Inc. CONTACT: Rachel Kim Euretig or Liz Clinkenbeard, both of LEWIS P.R. Inc., +1-415-277-5400, or 2Wire@lewispr.com, for 2Wire, Inc.; or Paul Brunato of 2Wire, Inc., +1-408-503-1088, or pbrunato@2Wire.com Web site: http://www.2wire.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment