Digital wireless telecom Ascalade Communications launched on Thursday the newest addition to its Companion series of VoIP phones. The new Companion Simple VoIP phone with ClearAudio technology is currently available for sale to new and existing strategic partners and customers, including Ascalade’s branded telephony and PC accessory customers. The first commercially available product will be released next month.

The Companion Simple is the company’s first product to feature its ClearAudio technology, which offers a clear digital sound experience. Ascalade’s ClearAudio technology integrates wideband audio, which supports a broader range of sound frequencies and a higher voice sampling rate, with Ascalade’s acoustic expertise in telephone design, giving better voice quality and clarity.

The device is the entry level model in Ascalade’s series of VoIP products that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. The device is integrated with Skype (News - Alert) and it connects directly to the USB port of the computer, replacing a headset with a user-friendly phone. The device's design gives the user “one touch” access to their Skype contact list, a keypad for easier phone number dialing, as well as volume control and LED notification for new Skype alerts on the handset.

“We are pleased to announce the newest addition to our Companion VoIP product line,” said President and CEO of Ascalade Communications Edmund Ho in a statement. “The Companion Simple targets the entry level segment of Skype users and is part of our ongoing strategy to provide our strategic partners and customers with innovative products for the growing VoIP market.”

Ascalade made news back in March when it introduced the new Companion Combo cordless VoIP phones to its offering. The devices combine the cordless phone and traditional telephone calling features with functionality of VoIP telephony. Two versions of the Companion Combo will be available: a color version that features a 1.3 inch vibrant color screen on the handset and a black and white version with a 3-line alphanumeric handset display.

Ascalade Communications Inc.

http://www.ascalade.com

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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne's columnist page.