Italk - more than cheap talk with VoIP

italk, operated by the Islands' longest-standing Internet service provider (ISP), Telemail Ltd, has already made its mark among its first clients as a provider of exceptionally high-quality, low-cost telephony.

Liberalisation of the telecommunications market on January 1 paved the way for ITSPs (Internet telephony service providers) to offer low-cost rates for international telephony.

However, in contrast to other providers in Malta, which are resellers of existing international VoIP services, italk has invested in its own state-of-the-art routing, billing and authentication equipment.

This investment in effect enables italk's parent, Telemail, a telecommunications company, to offer customers a greater breadth and depth of telephony service and a higher quality of call than regular providers.

Italk is not simply the latest VoIP service on the islands; it is also the most flexible for customers. Italk differentiates itself by offering services suited to both individuals and business customers through its prepaid and account-based options.

Italk@home prepaid accounts operate much the same as mobile phone prepaid services. Prepaid talk-time is purchased either as a physical card from selected retail outlets or as a virtual card, on-line, on the italk Website (www.italk.com.mt) using a credit or debit card.

While prepaid is ideal for individuals and in the home, it is not practical for most businesses. Italk solves this problem by offering italk@work, a service unique to italk VoIP, which gives corporate clients the convenience of an account with monthly billing.

Italk can be considered at the leading edge of customer service among local VoIP providers since it offers both prepaid and post-paid account holders the option to choose from any of its services, 'dial plans', to ensure the best match of service to customer needs.

Apart from PIN and access code dialling from fixed-line and mobile phones, customers may choose the italk CallerID dial plan which removes the need for lengthy PINs before making a call.

ADSL broadband users may opt for the italk connect dial plan. Here, customers benefit not only from a far simpler connection but also by saving the cost of the local call usually required to make italk international calls.

Italk also provides customers with account information on-line under secure server technology. Customers manage accounts, buy and top up talk time, pay bills and have call information on-line, updated in real time, to give an accurate status of their account.

A unique loyalty scheme and competition has been incorporated within the stylish italk calling cards and the italk Website. Users have the chance to receive free cards or enter a fun competition with the chance of winning one of many attractive prizes.

Italk VoIP is not just about cheaper talk-time; it's about empowering customers and giving them maximum flexibility and quality of service in their international voice telecommunications.

Italk is the result of several months development by Telemail Ltd, Malta's first ISP, and the only one dedicated to the corporate market. Italk is a separate service offering low cost VoIP telephony to both home and business customers. The company's shareholders are Philip Cassar, John Dougall, the M. Demajo Group, and Chev. Maurice Mizzi.

Italk is in a unique position in the local VoIP sector. As part of the Telemail stable of companies, italk has an edge over the other start-up VoIP businesses at this defining, early stage in the VoIP market. Italk draws on the experience and reputation of a company with over a decade's expertise in the local telecommunications market.

Telemail has built its business on tailoring value-added ISP services for both public and private organisations to be able to realise the benefits of easy, reliable and efficient Internet communication.

Today, the company has made significant inroads in the corporate market and has a large, loyal customer base comprising many of the Islands' household-name organisations. Telemail has also forged partnerships with key international brands in the IT and telecoms sectors such as Cisco, IBM and Microsoft.

Subsidiary company Futuredesign Ltd is a leading force in Web design and technologies. Proximity to expertise in the latest Web technologies has enabled italk to provide customers with comprehensive, on-line account management. Through links with Futuredesign, italk can manage critical customer services in-house, such as bill payment and security.

Italk customers gain by not only having a new, versatile and responsive provider of international voice telephony, but also one backed by credible knowhow in the sector.