Mr. Rogers: (Toronto) neighborhoods to get VoIP

According to a report on the website of the (Toronto) Globe and Mail, Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Ted Rogers says his company plans to introduce a local VoIP service in Toronto this Friday.

The July 1 date has historical significance for the cable-television, Internet access and telephony services provider. On July 1, 1985, Rogers first introduced wireless service.

Rogers hasn't announced pricing yet, but National Bank Financial analyst Greg MacDonald tells Globe and Mail telecom reporter Catherine McLean that the service should be priced above $40 (CDN) a month. That's about $32.50 U.S.

The Rogers initiative is especially interesting considering that on July 1, the company is dropping its $5 monthly plan for 1,000 minutes worth of long-distance calls in Canada and the U.S.