Vonage brings consumer VoIP service to Brazil, emphasizes low-cost landline, mobile calling

Vonage is furthering its push into the international services market, announcing that it has launched its consumer VoIP service in Brazil as part of a joint venture with Datora Telecom.

Beginning in select markets, Vonage is offering unlimited calling to landline phones throughout the country for what it said is a "low flat monthly rate." Initially offering services in Curitiba and Brasilia, the service provider plans to "rapidly" expand to additional markets over the next several months.

A key element of the service is mobility. Customers also will be able to make calls to wireless phones in the country at what Vonage said are low, fixed per-minute rates, regardless of the network or time of day.

"This launch marks an important step in the execution of our international expansion strategy," said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage, in a release. "Building on our success in the U.S., we have now broadened our reach to Brazil, one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the world."

With 22 million of Brazil's 67 million households connected to a broadband service, its entrance into the country could not be better.

The government has been driving the buildout of more broadband services to support the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. A number of the key wireline players, including TIM Brasil, GVT and Vivo, have been expanding the availability of their respective fiber to the home (FTTH)-based broadband services.

Overall, Vonage's movement into Brazil is part of a broader initiative by the company to expand its presence into the international market.

Lefar told investors in 2011 that international wireline and wireless-based long-distance services, mobile services and expanding into additional international markets were his three key goals. Part of that effort included the introduction of its World Premium Unlimited calling plan that expands the number of countries for unlimited calling from 60 to 80, including unlimited calling to mobile phones in 42 countries.

For more:
- see the release

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