"The new VoIP service will be marketed directly to customers in Mexico, as well as to Mexicans living in the USA when launched in spring 2006," declared a Vistula spokesman.

IUSAcom's COO Enrique Lopez-Negrete was cited as saying the company expects the agreement to expand its customer base not only in Mexico but also among Hispanics in the US through demand for the VoIP services. IUSAcom is part of Grupo Iusa, an industrial group owned by Mexico's Peralta family.

Mexico's main fixed-line carrier, Telefonos de Mexico SA (Telmex) uses VoIP technology but doesn't market it as an individual product. Smaller rivals, such as Avantel, offer VoIP packages along with broadband Internet. IUSAcom, which markets the service as Vox IP, requires its customers to have their own broadband connection, according to Associated Press (AP).