Developer Seeks ISP Partners for New Software

Free software lets ISP subscribers listen to incoming calls while online.

by Wayne Kawamoto [April 12, 2000]

CallWave announced a virtual phone line program that lets Internet Service Providers offer a value-added service to their dial-up customers.

According to the company, the CallWave Internet Answering Machine (IAM) is a compact, downloadable applet that lets Internet users with a single phone line hear who's calling while they're online. Instead of getting busy signals, callers can leave messages that Internet users will hear through their PC's speakers. CallWave claims that ISPs can offer IAM to their subscribers and save them the cost of a second phone line. Web surfers no longer have to go offline or leave a Web site to take calls, and won't miss calls as they browse the Web.

CallWave occupies a small window on the user's computer screen while they are online. The CallWave window displays incoming calls, delivers messages, and saves them for later. By making it possible for consumers to surf the Internet without missing important calls, CallWave becomes a desirable companion to users while they are online. Of course, the CallWave window also leaves space to advertising, which could either be a revenue opportunity or a source of subscriber complaints.

ISP Affiliate Program
CallWave offers an affiliate program to ISPs who earn a lead fee for every subscriber that signs up for the service. CallWave says that since its IAM saves Internet subscribers up to $40 per month on phone line charges, the free service can help ISPs hang on to subscribers. While the IAM service is free to users, it does display banner advertisements.

"Our new CallWave ISP program provides both a co-branded offer page as well as an aggressive pay-per-lead affiliate program," says Palmer Jackson, director of Business Development for CallWave. "In addition to improving stickiness and providing a valuable service for free to ISP subscribers, Internet Service Providers can generate $1 for each CallWave customer they refer. This is a big win-win for everyone."

Compatibility
The software is compatible with Windows 98 and NT, and with most versions of Windows 95. It requires 8Mb or RAM and 10Mb of hard disk space, and works with connections speeds of 14.4 or greater. For further details, click here.

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