International Discount Telecommunications Corp.
Tuesday unveiled one of the nation’s first pre-paid bilingual Internet
services.
Nuestra Voz is a full Spanish-to-English
pre-paid Internet service designed for bilingual households in the U.S.
“Only 11% of Hispanic
households have Internet access, yet 27% have a personal computer at home.
Through Nuestra Voz we can bring the Internet to all Hispanic computer users,” said Howard Jonas, chief executive officer of IDT.
Unlike other bilingual Internet services, clients can initially purchase a
Nuestra Voz software package that includes registration software, bilingual
Netscape Communicator, one month of Internet access, and an e-mail address.
After the first month, subscribers can purchase refresher cards at their
local retail outlet that will recharge their accounts for one, three or
six-months. The ISP offers unlimited Internet access nationwide for less
than $10 a month. Customer service and technical support are also part of
the bilingual services offered.
Nuestra Voz is modeled after pre-paid calling card marketing. Starter kits
and refresher cards will be available at grocery stores, newsstands, and
retail outlets around the country this month. Currently, Nuestra Voz is
available in the New York metro area.
Jonas added that IDT has utilized the strengths of the company to “take our
Internet service and our pre-paid distribution network, to bring an
entirely new product to the masses.”
IDT’ first offered dial-up services in 1994. The company’s network is
currently comprised of more than 700 points of presence across 46 states.
IDT is also an emerging multinational carrier that offers international
telecommunications services, Internet access and IP telephony services.
