LAS VEGAS, Jan. 3, 2006 – D-Link, the end-to-end networking solutions provider for consumers and business, and Skype®, the global Internet communications company, today introduced the D-Link Skype USB phone adapter that allows consumers to use their existing corded or cordless telephone to take advantage of Skype’s free calling features.
This latest innovation in Internet calling will be on display during CES 2006 at the D-Link booth, 35832 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), and at the Skype (eBay) kiosks located inside the LVCC grand lobby entrance adjacent to Starbucks.
The D-Link Skype USB phone adapter (DPH-50U) lets users accept both regular telephone and Skype calls from the same phone for added flexibility. When consumers are talking on a traditional telephone line and receive an incoming Skype call, they can easily switch lines to take the Skype call or vice versa, just like a typical call-waiting feature.
Conference calls can also be connected between ordinary telephone lines and Skype. For added convenience, the D-Link Skype USB phone adapter includes a lighted display to indicate whether an incoming call is from a traditional telephone or from a Skype user.
“At D-Link, we know that the digital home is all about integration and ease-of-use,” said Keith Karlsen, executive vice president, D-Link. “By extending Skype to be accessible through traditional phones, we can make the benefits of Skype even easier to experience.”
Using a cordless phone unties the user from their computer while making Skype calls. Additionally, using the traditional telephone enables consumers to use their telephone's built-in features such as speed dial, redial, mute and caller ID.
“Our mission is to make Skype easy and fun to use for consumers everywhere,” said James Bilefield, vice president of business development for Skype. “The D-Link Skype USB phone adapter makes Skyping even more convenient, providing flexibility to our users who want to take advantage of our free services and connect to Skype via their traditional telephone.”
The D-Link Skype USB adapter enables users to:
- Use a traditional or existing phone to make Skype calls
- Receive or make both traditional telephone and Skype calls from the same phone
- Use an existing traditional phone rather than a headset
- Use a cordless phone and talk freely throughout the house
- Use convenient built in features, including call waiting, conference calling and call forwarding
- Take advantage of Skype’s free international calling and talk to other Skype users anywhere in the world for free
The D-Link Skype USB phone adapter is PC compatible, and includes two RJ-11 ports and a USB port to conveniently connect an ordinary phone line, telephone and computer. Since the adapter receives power from the computer through the USB cable, it does not require an additional power supply. The included software installs in minutes and allows users to easily and completely manage their Skype contact list and calling features. The D-Link Skype USB phone adapter can be configured to forward incoming Skype calls to another destination such as a cell phone so that users never miss a call while away from their PC.
Price and Availability
The D-Link Skype USB phone adapter (DPH-50) will be available globally at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $69.99. The adapter will be made available at skype.com/store and at the D-LinkShop (www.dlinkshop.com), as well as major U.S. retailers such as RadioShack and select retailers in Europe.
About D-Link
D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for small, medium and large enterprise business networking. The company is an award winning designer, developer, and manufacturer of networking, broadband, digital electronics, voice and data communications solutions for the digital home, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO), Small to Medium Business (SMB), and Workgroup to Enterprise environments. With millions of networking and connectivity products manufactured and shipped, D-Link is a dominant market participant and price/performance leader in the networking and communications market. D-Link U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico headquarters are located at 17595 Mt. Herrmann Street, Fountain Valley, CA, 92708. Phone (800) 326-1688 or (714) 885-6000; FAX (866) 743-4905; Internet www.dlink.com
About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing service for Internet communication, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice calls for free. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium service offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding services. Skype also has a growing network of hardware and software partners. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.
©2005 D-Link Corporation/D-Link Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. D-Link and the D-Link logo are registered trademarks of D-Link Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency calling
