China Netcom Launchs On-line 800 Telephone Service

China Netcom has launched an on-line 800 telephone service, called IP800, intending to pull e-commerce out of the silent age.

With that service, users are able to add the icon of IP800 to their website pages so that their potential business partners can click on the icon and start a conversation on line with them while viewing the pages, said Zheng Changxin, president in charge of business operations with China Netcom, adding the service will enhance more human touch to the e-commerce that is going on mainly on line between computers.

Advanced Service Produces Positive Effect

The IP800 service is considered as an on-line version of the 800 telephone service, a collect call service commonly used by companies to communicate with their clients.

"As more and more companies are doing business on the Internet, on-line collect call services are in great need," Zheng said, "And it is much cheaper than the 800 telephone service as you have to invest millions of Yuan to establish a call center for 800 calls or rent a center and pay fees that are more expensive than common phone calls."

China Netcom completed the first phase of its broad-bandwidth network in October last year with a network connecting 17 major cities in China. The IP800 is the first advanced service the company provides based on this advanced network.

Li Peiying, president of Group Company of Beijing Capital International Airport, said that IP800 can be applied in selling tickets and providing flight information on line. It will have a positive effect on improving the services of airports and airlines.










People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/