Jajah Answers the Call

Patrick Barnard
Group Managing Editor, TMCnet

Jajah Answers the Call

Well, I asked for it -- a lo and behold, look at what happened a few days later.

In my blog post about Web-based VoIP provider Jajah teaming up with Web-based VoIP provider Jangl on Thursday I wrote:

“Maybe it isn't part of the plan, but I hope that Jajah and Jangl will team to deliver a USB phone that plugs into one’s computer or perhaps even a router enabling a home phone network via one’s PC to help accelerate adoption of their Web-based services. I think letting users also use a regular handset, in addition to their computer, would go a long way to accelerate adoption of the two companies’ Internet phone services.”

This was based on my opinion that in order to really drive consumer adoption of Web-based VoIP, you have to make the experience as close as possible to using traditional phone service. That means you have to be able to use a regular handset – and without having to punch in numbers on a Web site via your computer in order to connect calls.

Well, yesterday, Jajah launched Jajah Direct, a new VoIP service letting users make low cost long distance calls over a regular telephone. No, it’s not a USB phone that plugs into your computer – in fact you don’t even need a computer – or a broadband connection!

Here’s how it works: First you have to dial an access number given to you by Jajah (or visit the Jajah Web site) and then you select a local number that you “assign” to a particular person you call with some regularity. After you select the “local number” of the person you want to call, you can continue to use that number to connect to that same person each time you call them. According to Jajah “this number can be stored in a phone or address book like any other contact number.” And you can select as many numbers as you wish – to connect to as many people as you wish -- you just need to sign up for a Jajah account.

“Taking Internet access away from Internet telephony is a revolutionary step: dropping the need to be online allows everyone who owns a phone -- regardless of make or model -- to enjoy international calls for free, or at local rates,” a press release from the company states.

The service can be used to call anyone at anytime in 122 countries worldwide.

Jajah promised that it would be delivering new and innovative telephony solutions, and it is making good on this promise. They are now, in my view, entering the realm of the big-time pure-play VoIP providers such as Skype and Vonage. With the launch of this new service, it is probably just a matter for time before they become as big and as well known as those guys …

For more information, visit www.jajah.com.

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