AT&T Offering Internet Telephone Service in Las Vegas

By JOHN G. EDWARDS

REVIEW-JOURNAL

AT&T announced on Thursday that it is offering Voice Over Internet Protocol telephone telephone service in Las Vegas and 20 other markets.

The technology uses the Internet, rather than traditional telephone systems, for local and long-distance telephone calls. Voice communications are converted into data and converted into voice at the other end of the line.

“It basically treats your voice message the same way as an e- mail package,” spokesman Gordon Diamond said.

To use the service, a customer will need high-speed Internet service either from Cox Communication’s local cable network or over telephone lines through a digital subscriber line service, such as Sprint Corp. offers, he said.

The new service, called CallVantage, provides features such as call waiting, three-way calling and call forwarding. Call logs track incoming and outgoing calls. Customers will also be able to block a few phone preset numbers from completing calls at specific times such as 6 to 7 p.m. In addition, customers will be able to have five different telephone numbers ring so callers have a better chance of reaching them.

Long-distance calls within the United States and Canada are free, he said.

The features are based on software and will be improved over time, Diamond said.

AT&T is offering the service at the promotional price of $19.99 a month for six months. After that, it will increase to $34.99.

Nevada Telephone, a local telephone service, earlier announced it would provide Voice over Internet service.

AT&T provides standard local telephone service in Pahrump and other areas served by SBC Nevada. It offers long-distance service statewide.