Fusion Communications Corporation has reached an agreement with Chugoku Information System Service (CIS) and Chugoku Telecommunication Network (CTNet) to form an alliance as IP subscriber telephone service network partners to provide IP phone services using Fusion's IP telephony platform, scheduled to begin August 2003.

This alliance will make it possible for users of CIS's Mega Egg and CTNet's (wholly owned) Urban Internet line services to pay a flat monthly charge of about 300 yen to get an IP phone number (050 prefix) that allows outgoing phone calls to fixed-line phones at the rate of about 8 yen for 3 minutes and free calls between users of the same service and users of other ISPs that have formed an alliance with Fusion. The Chugoku Electric Power Group plans to form tie-ups with more ISPs, thereby expanding the possibilities for free phone calls. Further details on these services, including the starting date and pricing, are being worked out among the three companies and will be announced soon.

CIS and CTNet are also planning to promote intercommunication using the IP phone services provided by other telecom companies in the Chugoku Group. They will also actively promote the spread of Internet phone use, making terminal-to-terminal communication possible.