U S WEST Revolutionizes Internet Access with Alcatel's WebTouch One 'Web Phone'

Strategic Insights -

U S WEST will become the first local telephone company in the nation to offer Internet service through Alcatel's WebTouch One 'Web Phone.' This innovative device combines a traditional telephone with a color LCD touch-screen and a retractable keyboard, allowing customers to surf the Internet, check email, make phone calls, and check voice mail from a single device. The 'Web Phone' is a significant step towards simplifying Internet access and email service, making it easier for the 50% of customers who aren't online to join the Internet Revolution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U S WEST 'Web Phone' will be the first device to offer one-touch Web access from anywhere in the house.
  • The device combines telephone and calling services like Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Voice Messaging with the ability to access the Internet.
  • The convenience of one-touch Web access allows customers to use the Internet in new ways, such as quickly locating phone numbers, checking the weather, or accessing recipes online.
  • U S WEST will be the first telephone company in the United States to offer customers the Alcatel WebTouch One.
  • The Alcatel WebTouch One Internet offering has won prestigious awards, including the Consumer Electronics Show '99 Innovations Award and the CeBIT '98 Highlight Award.
  • The U S WEST 'Web Phone' will support other ISPs with minor configuration changes, and will come pre-configured with U S WEST.net Internet software.
  • The device will be available in late fall, and will be priced affordably.

Statistics:

  • 50% of U S WEST customers do not have access to the Internet.
  • Gartner Group's Dataquest projects the U.S. consumer market for Internet screen phones will reach over 5 million units by 2002.
  • U S WEST has the largest installed base of screen phones in the nation, with over 120,000 devices installed since the introduction of the Home Receptionist in 1995.
  • Alcatel has 120,000 employees and sales of EURO 21.3 billion ($25.0 billion) worldwide.
  • The Alcatel WebTouch One Internet offering combines Web access, telephony, and call management features to create a new generation of digital screen phones and other Internet devices.

Sources:

  • [U S WEST Press Release]
  • [Gartner Group's Dataquest Report]
  • [Alcatel Press Release]
  • [U S WEST Website]
  • [Alcatel Website]