Milan, Italy - December 1st, 2004 - CDC Group, the leading Italian IT manufacturer and distributor, Skype Technologies S.A., the Global Internet Telephony Company ™, and Plantronics, the world leader in communications headsets, announce a strategic partnership that is set to revolutionize communication management.
The initial stage of partnership involves CDC producing and distributing PC’s together with a co-branded version of Skype's free Internet telephony software and Plantronics headsets bundled in the package .The Plantronics headsets included in the package will feature vouchers with up to 120 minutes of free SkypeOut calls, which allow Skype users to call landlines or mobiles worldwide for the price of a local call. Skype to Skype calls will remain free for all users.
In second phase of the partnership, Skype's software will be integrated within Dexgate VoIP platform developed by CDC Group. The Dexgate-Skype co-branded software will also be available on promotional CDs in Computer Discount stores and in the website of Interfree (www.interfree.it), the portal and ISP for CDC Group's technology Community, which has about 2 million unique visitors every month. Starting from January 2005 the Dexgate-Skype co-branded software will be pre-installed in all desktop PCs and notebooks produced by CDC
Skype will also represent an important gateway to Dexgate, CDC's unique integrated Web Based platform, which through the exclusive browser technology and thanks to the Internet revolutionizes the traditional management of multimedia communication. It is a real MoIP (Multimedia over IP) platform with unique and distinctive features which differentiate it from all existing VOIP/CTI systems, meant to simplify communication, cutting the investment costs of multiple business networks and increasing business productivity. The partnership with Skype, that will also realize a specific version of its software for Dexgate's business customers, together with the bundles with the most innovative Plantronics products, will be strategic to boost VoIP business in Italy.
"The deal with CDC and Plantronics will further expand Skype's global reach and localize our offering in Italy," said Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and Co-founder. "Many more people will benefit from the quality and cost-savings of Skype calling when they buy new computers from CDC, starting from Christmas 2004."
Ken Kannappan comments, "For more than 40 years, Plantronics has developed lightweight headsets that enhance personal communications and deliver crystal clear audio performance. Plantronics brings a large portfolio of advanced voice technologies to the partnership, with their DSP and .Audio lines of PC headset being optimized for Internet telephony and Voice over IP applications."
"At CDC our mission is to spread a simple and usable technology for our customers and we are delighted to be working alongside global leaders Skype and Plantronics," said Giuseppe Diomelli, CDC's Chairman. "The combination of Information Technology and Telecommunication were the basis of the Internet, the Dexgate-Skype bundle and their integration in a unique Web Based platform will further the communications revolution in Italy."
