Chantilly, VA - February 20, 2002 - PingTone Communications, Inc. today announced it will offer managed Internet Protocol (IP) telephony services in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas, with service launching in the five boroughs of New York City as well as northern New Jersey in March 2002. Having earned its designation as a Cisco Powered Network member, PingTone will deliver its IP telephony services bundle using Cisco's portfolio of products.
For an unprecedented flat monthly fee, PingTone's service, targeted to the small to medium sized business customer, includes IP telephones from Cisco Systems, unified messaging, a desktop GUI (graphical user interface) for call control, high-speed Internet access, unlimited local calls, and unlimited domestic long distance. Cisco products being deployed include Cisco IP phones, Cisco 1700 series access routers, and Cisco Catalyst. 2950 series XL and Cisco Catalyst. 3550 series XL switches.
Using a "managed service provider" approach, PingTone offers a completely managed service that combines the voice features of traditional telephone systems with the productivity-enhancing tools of the desktop. Small and medium businesses no longer have to hire technology staff, manage consultants or spend hours coordinating new lines and service. PingTone takes care of the entire process of getting a high-tech communications system up and running.
"PingTone eliminates the unending administration and coordination required to implement voice and data networks and offers telecommunications services that otherwise would be cost prohibitive to small and medium sized businesses," said Robert T. Flood, CEO of PingTone. "It's a simple solution to the complexities found in today's technology environment."
PingTone's Cisco Powered Network designation enables the company to utilize Cisco's networking expertise and unparalleled network reliability. "We understand the importance that Cisco and its VAR community bring to the table from a reliability and credibility standpoint with their customers," said Robert T. Flood, CEO of PingTone. "They are a key component in our distribution strategy and we have built our model to ensure that we are not only providing an affordable enhanced solution to the small and medium business market segment, but utilizing the core competencies that each organization provides."
"This is a great opportunity for Cisco and its partners to address the underserved small and medium business market," said Kevin Outcalt, senior director of service provider marketing at Cisco. "By combining the advances in IP telephony with available broadband access solutions, PingTone is able to deliver highly reliable, feature rich enterprise communication services right to the desktop of small and medium sized businesses. It's a tremendous offering."
PingTone's goal is to replace the services that businesses currently have to obtain and manage from four or five different providers, by offering them the total package from one company, on one bill for one fixed monthly fee.
About PingTone
Headquartered in Northern Virginia's Dulles High Tech Corridor, PingTone Communications is one of the first companies to bring Internet Protocol telephony to the desktop. Leveraging a Cisco-powered IP network platform, PingTone offers small and medium businesses an integrated suite of telecommunications services previously affordable only to large corporations. PingTone's solution includes unlimited local calls, unlimited domestic long distance, high-speed Internet connectivity, and unified messaging - all included in an affordable fixed monthly price. PingTone currently provides services to the greater Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas with plans to expand nationwide by year end. For information, please visit our web site at www.pingtone.com.
