eVoice

EVoice
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Business Services
Founded	United States
Headquarters	United States
Parent	j2 Global Communications, Inc.
Website	www.evoice.com

eVoice is a telecommunications service owned by j2 Global Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:JCOM) that manages incoming and outgoing calls using a virtual phone number. The service was founded in 2000 and re-launched in March 2010 with new features, functionality and pricing targeting entrepreneurs and small businesses. [1]

Overview

eVoice provides toll-free and local phone numbers to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the United States and Canada. [2] The phone number is chosen by the user from available numbers in selected area codes. Based on how the user then configures their eVoice service, the user can then answer calls placed to the eVoice number on devices/phones owned by the subscriber. Users must have an established telephone services in the United States or Canada in order to answer incoming calls.

A virtual phone number makes it possible for mobile professionals to remain accessible regardless of location [3]. A competitor to eVoice is Google Voice. [4]. eVoice provides 24x7 live customer support and email support for users. [5]

Features

Features
• Access to local and toll free numbers in the United States and Canada[6]
• Multiple extensions to facilitate dialing to specific employees or departments
• Call routing to phones selected by the user; sequential ringing allows calls to be forwarded to multiple phones simultaneously or in a specific order
• Call screening. Announcement of callers based on the user hearing the name of the caller; calls can then be picked up or transferred to voicemail
• Voicemail sent directly to email; management of communications via any computer with a standard browser and access to the Internet
• Voicemail to text transcriptions of voice messages delivered as a text message or email
• Conference call
• Professional recorded greetings
• Call transferring to voicemail, extensions, or to another number
• Mobile applications provide availability to the eVoice service via iPhone®, Android® or BlackBerry® mobile devices.
• 24X7 live customer service and support; email support

History

eVoice was founded in 2000 by Wendell Brown and Craig Taro Gold. Based at that time in Menlo Park, CA., eVoice was the world's first large-scale, Internet-enabled voicemail system. eVoice created partnerships with telecom companies including MCI and AT&T, as well as web portals and VoIP providers including Qwest, Snowball, and Dialpad. eVoice was acquired by AOL in July 2001 and merged into AOLbyPhone. Prior to the acquisition, eVoice raised more than $50 million in funding from idealab!, Nokia and other top-tier investors. On June 15, 2004, the eVoice brand name and internet domain were acquired by j2 Global Communications(NASDAQ:JCOM)[7]. j2 Global Communications, Inc. is a global communications services company that offers a variety of voice, email and fax services. The j2 Global network spans more than 4,200 cities and 49 countries around the world.

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