Primus Speaks VoIP 'Lingo,' With $20 Service

The already-competitive VoIP market got a little more competitive Monday, as Primus Telecommunications Group began offering a $20 monthly plan with unlimited local and long-distance calling in North America and Western Europe.

"The Internet knows no geographical boundaries, so why should telephone services?," said John Melick, co-president of Primus, in a statement. The firm said the first three months would be free to subscribers.

To connect to the Primus network, subscribers need a broadband connection--either DSL or cable modem. Primus provides an analog telephone adaptor to subscribers, who are responsible for providing a standard telephone for the service.

Called Lingo, the Primus service leverages off Primus's global infrastructure, which operates in 150 countries. Offered free for the first three months, Lingo has several additional features that are included, such as call forwarding and anonymous call rejection. Subscribers can keep their current phone number when they transfer service to Primus.