27 September 2005
Electrical retailer Dixons has yet to confirm that it is releasing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) vehicle, a report has said.
According to trade journal the Register, Dixons' Freetalk service is being widely anticipated across the industry, but details will only be released at the product's launch this week.
The Register says that Dixons has a history of success with internet ventures, having set up Freeserve - which has since become Wanadoo and was bought by France Telecom - in 1997.
Freetalk, dubbed the 'Son of Freeserve', is to be priced at only £6.99 a month.
A BT spokesman said: "We don't think this is going to be 'Freeserve 2' or 'Son of Freeserve'.
"Dixons are not first movers on this, they're late to market and this product is not revolutionary."
VoIP allows users to make home telephone calls over the internet using a broadband connection.
BT will launch a three-month promotion for its BT Communicator service from next month.
It says its service will be cheaper than Skype and other VoIP providers.
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