Verizon's VoIP

Verizon has gone to market with a lower-priced version of its VoiceWing VoIP service, coupled with an aggressive nationwide marketing plan. The new offering is a $19.95 per month plan, available anywhere in the United States, that offers unlimited incoming calls and 500 minutes of domestic outgoing calls.

Verizon’s only plan until now has been a $34.95 plan with unlimited calling. Verizon DSL customers get a break and pay $29.95 for that plan. The pricing, at $5-$10 per month more per month than competitors such as Vonage, had left Verizon in a weak competitive position outside of its home service area. The new $19.95 plan is priced the same for all users nationwide.

In addition to the new lower-priced plan Verizon has also spiffed up its VoIP service with faxing capabilities, the ability to block up to 20 pre-designated phone numbers and to reject calls from anonymous callers. It’s also become the first major VoIP provider offer 411 residential 411 directory assistance listing for VoIP phone numbers, although that feature is only good within Verizon’s own service area.

The new faxing capability requires a Linksys PAP2 telephone adapter, and Verizon said that it will trade out the Cisco adapters it had been providing customers at no charge.