3 Ireland partner with Blueface to offer innovative landline product
Blueface introduces Telecom App allowing Three customers to get a landline number on their iPhone
Blueface, Ireland’s leading internet telephony provider has partnered with Three, Ireland’s largest high speed mobile network and mobile broadband leader, to launch an innovative business offering designed to deliver big business service at small a business price. Blueface and Three are today announcing the introduction of the first telephone App in Ireland that will allow business customers, on the Three mobile network, to get a landline number on their iPhone
The launch has been enabled through the use of Blueface’s proprietary IP platform provisioning and billing system. The new offering is effectively a virtual landline and is a clear example of Blueface’s vision of communications in the cloud becoming a reality. . Providing low cost innovative services to SMEs has been at the heart of Blueface’s value proposition and this is yet another example of delivery against their brand promise to provide a ‘big business phone service at a small business price’. This new service will help small businesses to thrive and drive their business forward at affordable prices by ensuring that they never miss a call and have the flexibility of a fixed service on their mobile phone.
Alan Foy CEO, Blueface commented on the deal: “Blueface is delighted to be partnering with an innovative operator such as Three to launch this unique landline service to small businesses. The Three landline App not only provides business customers with an innovative way of accessing a fixed landline but also enables customers to save costs using Blueface’s low-cost domestic and international call rates. Blueface are continually innovating to provide our SME customers with big business communications services at a small business price, and we look forward to providing even more developments in the near future.”
Eoin MacManus, Commercial Director at Three Ireland, commented on the launch: “This agreement with Blueface gives us a significant advantage over our competitors in the SME market. This simple easy to use service will mean businesses can now have all the benefits of a fixed line number with the flexibility of mobile communications at exceptional value. We are delighted to bring this innovative product to the market and look forward to working with current and potential business customers to offer them some of the best value business communications solutions in Ireland.”
Watch Video Here: Interview with Alan Foy (CEO, BLueface) and Eoin MacManus (Commerical Director, Three)
The new service being offered by Blueface and Three is primarily targeted at the SME market, delivering significant cost savings versus existing services with all the flexibility of a mobile network. With Fixed Line penetration currently at 71%, Blueface and Three see a significant opportunity for growth through delivery of a high quality service at costs significantly lower than those charged by other operators.
It is widely acknowledged that Irish businesses currently pay some of the highest landline costs in Europe with Comreg estimates putting it as much as 40% higher than the UK (€25 compared to €15 in the UK). This new offer combines innovative new technology with an attractive pricing structure. The service is available with Three Business Solo Plan and can be downloaded from the iTunes app store
Blueface developed the award winning App in connection with Vennetics, an innovator in telecommunication and IT application solutions, using GSM OneAPI specifications. The partnership between Blueface and Vennetics resulted in the companies winning the North / South Collaboration Award at the Irish Times Innovation Awards 2011. The App is not only the first Telecom App of its kind in Ireland, but also a world first in terms of the newly adapted One API specifications as agreed by the GSMA.