Posted on 2006-03-27 13:27:42

The Associated Press picks up on two new Internet Telephony offerings released today into a very crowded market. Each tries to differentiate themselves to avoid being lost in the VoIP shuffle. One does so by eliminating the TA, and software, entirely.

Lycos has launched a Lycos Phone service that offers free software to landline calls if you agree to sign up for promotional offers via partners like VISA or Netflix. Domestic calls otherwise are 1 cent a minute when the initial 100 free minutes are up.

JaJah offers a service that is purely website driven, with no TA or software download. "Users go to the company's Web site and enter two phone numbers - their own and the number to call. The company rings the caller's number, and after the user picks up, it dials the other number. If the call is answered, Jajah connects the two lines." Domestic calls are 1.7 cents a minute.