The growth of voice over IP connections prompted Qualcomm Inc., maker of the popular Eudora e-mail tool, to partner with telephony firm Net2Phone Inc. in a bundling agreement Monday.
Qualcomm (QCOM) will market Net2Phone’s (NTOP) V.10 Internet telephony services through its Eudora e-mail software both in retail and online distribution.
Version 10 is made to enable free PC-to-PC calling, ICQ buddy PC-to-PC calling, PC-to-Fax and VoicEmail as well as the company’s flagship PC-to-phone service. Customers only pay for calls that terminate on a telephone or fax machine.
Net2Phone will also serve as a sponsor of a new version of Eudora, which Qualcomm announced last week will be available for free. In addition, Qualcomm will include a co-branded Eudora Calling Card within the new Eudora bundle. The card discounts calls and faxes sent over Net2Phone’s IP network.
“We look forward to enhancing our customers’ experience by adding the voice component to their online communications,” said Jeff Belk, vice president of Qualcomm and general manager of Eudora Products. “We are committed to providing our customers with value-added top-quality services, and we believe this relationship will help us further that commitment.”