Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co says it will begin internet-based international telephone service on Monday, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. KDD has been testing the feasibility of internet phone service to North America and the UK since October. Users will pay a basic monthly charge of 500 yen, with calls to the US costing 90 yen for three minutes, 80% less than KDD’s regular daytime call rate. Three-minute calls to the UK will cost 135 yen, 82.5% lower. Service will initially be available to 15 countries, with plans to extend coverage further in future. The service will be operated by KDD Communications, the internet access subsidiary of KDD, and employs ordinary phones.
