Jingle Networks and Skype Partner on Free DA Service
MENLO PARK, Calif. – Under a strategic partnership announced yesterday, Jingle Networks is now offering its 1-800-FREE-411 directory assistance service to Skype subscribers in the United States, freeing them from the $2 to $3 fees typically charged by telephone carriers for regular 411 calls.
The FREE-411 service allows callers to search local directory assistance listings using their voices. Voice prompts ask callers for city and state, business category, or company name. The service is free to users because it draws its revenue from pre-recorded advertising messages that are played during the call.
Skype users will get the same caller experience that all 1-800-FREE-411 callers receive, but with an added feature that also allows them to get the information requested sent to them as a Skype Alert text message. When the listing pops up on their computer screens, they can click the phone number link and connect directly to the business via a SkypeOut call. Skype users can access the service by adding “Free411USA” to their Skype contact list.
In addition, Skype, which is owned by eBay, will join the tens of thousands of businesses that are running audio promotions on the FREE-411 network.
“FREE-411 is a valuable service for Skype customers,” says Chaim Haas, a spokesman for the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider. “Skype customers are looking for a lower cost for all types of calls, and FREE-411 has the same value.”
“Our users are accustomed to making free phone calls over Skype, and now with the 1-800-FREE-411 service, we are able to give them an easy way to get free directory assistance too,” adds Scott Miller, director of business development at Skype.
Jingle Networks logs roughly 130 million calls annually to its FREE-411 system. “Our relationship with Skype shows how quickly 1-800-FREE-411 has become a mainstream directory assistance service and viable marketing medium,” says George Garrick, CEO of Jingle Networks. “Together we bring two revolutionary new communications channels that have become important services for millions of consumers. Our directory assistance network is a proven new media opportunity, as validated by our advertiser success, delivering high quality customers to our diverse advertiser base.”
The 1-800-FREE411/Skype Service is available to all Skype users based in the United States using the new Skype 3.5 for Windows software.