Internet telephony: GTC Telecom announces plan to set up state of the art voice over IP technology network - Company Business and Marketing

EDGE, On & About AT&T, Jan 25, 1999

Following the 5.9 cents per minute rate challenge posed to AT&T, GTC Telecom Thursday announced that it plans to set up a state of the art voice over IP technology network. The voice over IP technology that GTC will use is similar to the technology that companies like USA Talk are currently utilizing.

However, GTC's network will involve the use of a private network backbone, which will provide extremely reliable service. "Most companies that are implementing voice over IP technology are currently using the Internet as the vehicle for transmitting the calls. It has been to their advantage until this point to use the Internet because on a cost basis, it is virtually free. The choice to go with our own private network versus using the Internet really came down to safeguarding the routing and voice quality of our customer's calls. In addition to raising the quality level of phone calls, we did not want our customers to have to dial extra dialing codes to make their calls. Our network will provide simple, normal dialing," stated Mark Fleming, Executive Vice President of GTC Telecom. Eric Clemons, GTC Telecom's Chief Operating Officer stated, "Our 5.9 cents per minute long distance rate is fiercely competitive with companies like AT&T, Sprint, Excel Communications and Tel-Save. Implementing this technology with our already low long distance rates will now allow GTC to become competitive in an entirely new arena. We are extremely excited to begin work on this project and anticipate that it will make our company even more competitive in the long distance industry." To sign up and/or receive more information, access GTC Telecom's website at www.gtctelecom.com. GTC Telecom also has an array of Internet services, including its upcoming online calling card center, www.ecallingcards.com that is scheduled to be launched on Feb. 15, 1999. Founded in 1997, GTC Telecom is an interexchange carrier, providing long distance service to small and medium sized businesses as well as residential customers throughout the United States. Currently, GTC believes that they have the lowest long distance rates nationwide. GTC's long distance service offerings include outbound service, inbound toll-free 800 service, and dedicated private line services for data. GTC's position as an interexchange carrier gives the company the ability to function as a large telecom company but alleviates the overhead, thus allowing GTC to have rates lower than many of their competitors. FMI: www.gtctelecom.com