Panasonic, Vonage Plan Direct-To-Broadband Phone System

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. and Vonage Holdings Corp. are jointly developing a cordless-phone system, configured with the latter's company's Internet telephony service, that would connect directly to a broadband service, the companies said Tuesday.

The system, which would be manufactured by Panasonic, would eliminate the need for a stand-alone adapter used by other voice over Internet protocol systems. The product would target consumers and small businesses, offering a less-expensive service than traditional telephone service, while offering comparable features, the companies said.

"Vonage and Panasonic are collaborating to offer everything a customer needs to make high-quality, inexpensive phone calls, in one simple, easy-to-use device," Daniel Smires, senior vice president of engineering at Vonage, said in a statement.

The companies did not release a timetable for release of the new product. The announcement was made during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.