VoIP carrier netTalk's Duo VoIP device is continuing to make its mark in traditional retail stores, now being sold by Sears Canada in all 196 stores and at Sears.ca.

The device, which gives users free calls to any phone in the U.S. and Canada, provides cut-rate calling for international calls. In addition, netTalk has also aggressively been pushing the device onto shelves at retail and e-tail outlets in recent months, including Wal-mart, PC Richards, Dell.com and recently announced a resale deal with controversial mobile network player LightSquared.

The netTalk Duo is a VoIP device and digital phone service that plugs directly into a router or modem (or computer). The suggested retail price in Canada is CDN $79.95, including the entire first year of phone service and all other features, and CDN $39.95 for each additional year, with no additional fees or long-term contracts.

"We are pleased to respond to surging Canadian demand for the netTalk Duo by reaching this agreement for sales at Sears Canada, capping a period of major expansion of our bricks n' mortar presence in Canada," commented Anastasios "Takis" Kyriakides, president and CEO of netTalk. "We also appreciate the symbolic significance of this agreement with one of the world's oldest, most respected retailers, which for generations has exemplified quality and value."

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VoIP Innovations, a provider of wholesale VoIP service, is introducing Canadian origination this week, giving customers the ability to receive calls, purchase DIDs, and port telephone numbers in Canada.

Mitel is taking Ottawa, Canada, to task to try and get a $7 million parts and service contract for a new digital voice network that's been two years in the making. Ottawa is changing out its traditional telephone and data networks into a single integrated VoIP network that would provide video and Web conferencing, integrated voice messaging and improved call center performance and will today discuss, possibly for the last time, who gets the parts and service contract.

Bell Canada/Cisco originally won the deal as the preferred suppliers but, in early April, Mitel came back and offered $2 million worth of free hardware in exchange for the service contract. The city reconsidered but city staff are now recommending the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee restart VoIP negotiations with Bell Canada/Cisco, leaving Mitel in the cold again.

Mitel's argument is that Cisco, as the current data network, has an unfair advantage in the VoIP bid and is asking the city to cancel the current process. The city's answer is that there's no reason to do that and the matter's closed. For now.

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