Internet kiosk operator inks VoIP deal

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 23 January 2008 10:45

IT Industry - Market

High Speed Internet Kiosks - which operates internet kiosks in major shopping centres as well as cafes, hotel lobbies and other locations - has partnered with gotalk to add low-cost phone calls to the services available.

The kiosks are currently coin operated, but Hi Speed is set to add note acceptors along with credit/debit payments and a stored value card.

That prepaid card will be used to pay for calls made using gotalk's VoIP service in addition to internet access. Conversely, gotalk prepaid customers will be able to pay for internet kiosk use from their balances. Gotalk prepaid cards are already available from around 30,000 retailers.

Gotalk CEO Steve Picton said "The partnership will enable shoppers – plus shop staff and centre employees -  to make convenient phone calls around Australia, to mobile phones and to the world at very cost effective prices."

Hi Speed currently operates more than 30 kiosks with 500 screens and 25,000 users per week today at locations that include Westfield, Centro, Mirvac, GPT, Lend Lease and AMP shopping centres.

According to Stephen Burns, general manager of marketing and commercial, the company is on target to more than triple its footprint by the end of the year.