Unlimited iTalkFreedom (3 days only)

From 12/28/2009 to 12/30/2009 EST, new subscribers to iTalkBB global unlimited plan ($299/yr) can get unlimited iTalkFreedom service for one cell phone number of choice. To qualify, one has to mention coupon code "JZ0901V25+8991156825" through customer hot-line: 1-877-842-5522 . After the first year, the offer reduces to 500 minutes/mo for up to two cellphones.

Happy holidays!

Win the Chance to Talk to YAO MING!!

iTalkBB is hosting an end-of-year lottery, from which you may win the opportunity to participate the iTalkBB Title Sponsored Charity Dinner of Yao Ming Foundation on Jan. 30th of 2010! You may participate the lottery NOW, and win the chance of bringing a guest with you to the Charity Dinner and spending 15 minutes with Yao Ming for a chat and some pictures. Better yet, iTalkBB will sponsor your trip by providing you the air tickets and hotel accommodation.


Any customer, new or existing, of iTalkBB may participate this lottery. If you are not yet an iTalkBB customer, you may register right away. When register as a new user, please don't forget to use the promotion code (at the last step of your account registration) "JZ0901V25+8991156825" to save $30 instantly!

iTalkBB sponsors Yao, Ming's Charity Dinner

On Nov. 17th, iTalkBB hosted a press conference to announce being the Title Sponsor for the 2010 Charity Dinner of YAO, Ming fundation. This is an effort that iTalkBB makes to help improving the social environment and education for children. The Charity Dinner will be hosted on Jan. 30th, 2010, and part of the fund raised during this dinner event will be used to rebuild the sport center of Texas Bay, which was destroyed by hurricanes.

For new users who's interested in iTalkBB's service, don't forget to use promotion code (last step in account registration) "JZ0901V25+8991156825" to save $30 instantly!

italkbb referral promotion extended

Good news! iTalkBB referral promotion has been extended to November. Details can be found here.
For new users who's interested in iTalkBB's service, don't forget to use promotion code (last step in account registration) "JZ0901V25+8991156825" to save $30 instantly!

.

Spread the joy of iTalkBB service: italkbb referral

iTalkBB October promotion is for existing customer: while you enjoy iTalkBB's service, why not share information of these great features and deals from iTalkBB with your friends; ask them to use promotion CODE "JZ0901V25+899xxxxxxx" to sign up with iTalkBB if they decide so. The 899xxxxxxx number is your iTalkBB number.

You will get 3 months free service if two new users register using your code in Oct. 2009, or 6 months free service for three new users, or 12 months free service for four new users. Qualifying plans include $24.99/mo or above monthly plans and $299/yr annual plans.

For new users who's interested in iTalkBB's service, use promotion code (last step in account registration) "JZ0901V25+8991156825" to get $30 discount.

italkbb wishes all - 国庆快乐、中秋快乐

iTalkBB Dealer 与海外华人共庆中华人民共和国60华诞！同祝海外同胞中秋快乐、全家平安！

iTalkBB NY Event

iTalkBB is going to have a joint event with the World Journal Bookstore in the Flushing Mall of Queens NY, at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 27. A lot of gifts including free iTalkBB annual plan ($299 of value), indoor BBQ grill and cookie baking oven will be given to the attendees through lotteries. 2009 beauty queen, Miss Du, will be present as an honored guest.

If you cannot make to the event, don't forget that by using promotion code "JZ0901V25+8991156825", new subscribers to iTalkBB global unlimited monthly ($24.99/month) or annual ($299/year) plan can get an instant discount of $30. Even better, qualified users will also get our back-to-school promotion, which includes activation fee waiver ($29.99 value) AND a $25 in rebate. The back-to-school promotion expires on Sept. 25, 2009.

iTalkbb $30 off coupon expiring Sept. 30, 2009

Expiring on Sept. 30, 2009, new subscribers to a new i talk bb global unlimited monthly ($24.99/month) or annual ($299/year) plan can get an instant discount of $30 using promotion code "JZ0901V25+8991156825".

This is in addition to our back-to-school promotion which includes activation fee waiver ($29.99 value) AND a $25 in rebate, for qualified users. The back-to-school promotion expires on Sept. 25, 2009.

Traveling with iTalkBB

The technology iTalkbb uses is called "VOIP", which means you get your phone service through broadband Internet access. One of the claimed advantage of iTalkBB is that "You can take your iTalkBB phone adaptor with you anywhere in the world, whether it's a short trip or a permanent move. All you need is Broadband Internet connection to connect to your iTalkBB adaptor with, you will be able to make phone calls as if your are at home, and others can still reach you as usual by dialing your home number."

While theoretically true, in reality, we have traveled with iTalkBB phone adapter many times and have found it rarely useful. As WiFi (wireless access) gets increasingly popular in hotels and resorts, it is often the case that one cannot easily plug in the phone adapter. This greatly limits the usability of the phone adapter. We will have to wait for the next generation of iTalkBB equipment that truly offers portability.

However, if you are looking for a relatively longer-term land-line replacement solution, iTalkBB is perfect -- working with all kinds of residential broadband access (cable, dsl, fios, etc.). You can also find discount from our iTalkBB promotion tracking thread here. As for now, there is a back-to-school promotion that offers $15 instant saving and $25 rebate and $29.99 activation fee waiver. Don't miss it.

iTalkBB $30 off coupon

Expiring Aug. 20, new users to iTalkBB may use promotion code "JZ090605V25+8991156825" to receive a $30 discount toward a new global unlimited monthly ($24.99/month) or annual ($299/yr) plan. This is in addition to activation fee waiver ($29.99 value) AND our back-to-school promotion ($25 in rebate).

If you go through the lists of promotions from iTalkBB, you will find that this is a very good deal -- so don't miss it.

Best of iTalkBB

Stay close to your loved one through iTalkBB with a low price of $24.99/month!!!

Use on-line or mention over phone this promotion code "953110+8991156825" when sign up -- save an extra $15 instantly.

Before Sept. 25th, 2009, you may also qualify for a $25 rebate with our back-to-school promotion. Details see here.

italkbb back to school promotion

As the summer is quickly passing by, iTalkBB is ready to welcome new classes of students back to school, or particularly those who will be entering college/grad school in US/Canada from China. iTalkBB offers unlimited domestic and international calls at a low price of $24.99/month, which includes a package of nice features such as caller id, call forwarding, voice mail, voice e-mail, and best of all, a FREE China 400 number that allows your family and friends in China to reach you without long distance charge.

To help your back-to-school transition, iTalkBB-Review now offers a new "student discount". Between July 25, 2009 to Sept. 25, 2009, if you subscribe to iTalkBB's Global Unlimited Annual Plan ($299/year) with promotion code "953110+8991156825", you will receive the following triple discount:

• Waiver of activation fee ($29.99)
• $15 instant discount (or $30 instant discount with limited-time code "JZ0901V25+8991156825")
• $25 rebate if you send an email to iTalkBB.deal@gmail.com from a ".edu" email address

To qualify for the $25 rebate, you need to send email to iTalkBB.deal@gmail.com from a ".edu" address (e.g., tom@mit.edu), including your name, iTalkBB number, and your mailing address for the rebate check, or paypal account (does not have to be the same email) if you prefer e-payment. Rebate payment will be issued 30 days after your account is activated. Please put "italkbb student discount" in your email title.

Have a happy back-to-school!

iTalkBB Market-share Survey completed

During the past three months, we have conducted a survey on the market share of iTalkBB (shown below) and collected 58 votes in total -- 13% responses claim more than 2/3 of their friends are using iTalkBB and another 20% claim more than 1/3 using iTalk BB. The result aligns with the lower bound of our previous analysis, where it shows that 30% to 50% of iBBtalk targeted users are already using iTalkBB's service -- reflecting very positively on iTalkBB's service quality.

We thank everyone who participated in this survey. As detailed in the promotion rules, those who registered in the promotion and whose iTalkBB number ends with number 8, please send your paypal or mail address information to italkbb.deal@gmail.com; an award of $100 or $20 (depending on your account) will be sent to you as a token of appreciation for your participation. Congratulations!

Among your Asian friends in US/Canada, how many people are using iTalkBB's phone service?

win $ from iTalkBB-Review

So far, we have collected 56 responses for our market share survey (on the top of the page). And in a couple of days the survey will close. For those newly subscribed users, if you do not yet have your iTalkBB number to register here to qualify for the $100 rebate winning, you may simply send email to iTalkBB.deal@gmail.com with your name and time of registration. Be sure to use promotion code "953110+8991156825" (save $15) or "JZ090605V25+8991156825" (save $30 for $24.99/mo or $299/yr plans) when open your account. We will qaulify you for the rebate when your iTalkBB number is assigned.

Details on promotion qualification is available at this post.

Survey on iTalkBB feature is about to close

In 16 hours, our poll on the most attractive iTalkBB phone features will close. So far, we have collected 25 responses. Most people chooses iTalkBB because it offers unlimited outbound international call (92%). Second to that is its feature that conveniently supports inbound international calls (e.g., through toll-free number from China) (80%). It's interesting that voice mail is among those deemed least useful (4%), even lower than 3-way call (24%). This might be due to the wide availability of phones that are integrated with answer machine...

We thank everyone who participated in this survey. In three days, our survey on italkbb market share will also close. We have offered $100 rebate award for each participant who signs up new account with iTalkBB before July 4, 2009 using code "953110+8991156825" ($15 discount instantly) and the last digit of his/her iTalkBB number matches the last digit of total votes received by then. Existing users can get $20 rebate award if participate. Details on promotion qualification is available at this post.

Which of the iTalkBB feature(s) do you use/like the most?

Who use iTalkBB?

Are you interested in subscribing to iTalkBB's service? Do you wonder who else use iTalkBB? Well, we cannot give away information on individual users, but one can still learn a lot from the following statistics.

Sounds like you? Well, don't forget to check out the latest promotion information on iTalkBB at this link. Before July 4th, 2009, you may earn an additional $100 rebate through the promotion here.

My experience with iTalkBB technical support

I recently have to move my home to a new place. After I set up my Internet service and connected my iTalkBB phone adapter and phones the same way as I remembered it was, immediately I were able to make calls. It went very smoothly and I was quite happy about it. Only when a couple of days later, did I realize that incoming calls did not work. People dialing my number could hear ring sound but the phone would not ring at all. I decided to call iTalkBB customer service.

I first dailed the 1-877-iTalkBB (482-5522) number. There was no waiting. But following the voice prompt, I reached a voice message telling me I should call technical support line at 1-877-482-5503 instead. Although it was not much a hassle to me, it would be much nicer if it could automatically transfer my call to the new number -- something easy for iTalkBB to do -- after all it is a phone company.

I dialed the new number (using my iTalkBB phone). It was about 8pm and there was no waiting (I selected service in Chinese). Interestingly there is a voice-prompted category for problems "with receiving phone calls", which I selected. There was not much process for authentication either (none of the user name/password/mother's maiden name crap), as the service guy simply read back my number (must be from caller id) and asked me if the problem was on the phone that I was using. He asked me to tell him the color of the different lights on the italkbb adapter and on the cable modem, and then asked for my cell phone number to call me back at. Within a minute, he did so. Then he told me to switch my phone cable to a different port (there are two ports on the linksys 2101 model) and restart the box. I followed his instruction. He then put me on hold and dailed my iTalkBB phone number. This time, it worked. I picked up the phone and thanked him. All within five minutes, problem solved.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the experience. I guess I must have hit a common problem. The line-2 jack on the iTalkBB adapter is not supposed to connect to, something that I overlooked when reconnecting my phones. Still, I'm quite impressed by the efficiency -- nowadays, one may not be able to get through the different automated voice-menus within five minutes at many other customer services, let along getting the problem solved. Good work, iTalkBB.

Visit iTalkBB Connection Store at San Gabriel Plaza

Since 2007, iTalkBB has been offering 30-day risk-free trial option to users, although some restrictions apply (discussed here). Now, iTalkBB has opened its first iTalkBB Connection store for customers to try it out. The store is conveniently located at #118D San Gabriel Plaza, the so-called "the great mall of China" (address: 140 W. Valley Boulevard, San Gabriel Plaza). It opens 7 days a week from 11AM to 8PM and its phone number is 626-288-9088. For people who is in the vicinity of Los Angles, CA, and who is worried about the complication of the 30-day risk-free trial, it's a good idea to stop by while you shop/dine in the plaza. 

Don't forget to check iTalkBB latest promotion -- simply mentioning the promotion code listed could save you $30 and opportunity to win $100 rebate (promotion as of 6/22/2009).

iTalkBB Father's day Promotion

Last month, we sponsored a Mother's day promotion for iTalkBB. It wouldn't be fair if we don't have one for Father's day. Through special arrangement, we get the best deal for you: 

• $30 instant discount for any $24.99 (or above) monthly plan or $299 annual plan -- using promotion code: "JZ090605V25+8991156825" 
• $100 rebate award if you answer a question (following instructions here), and the last digit of your posted BB# matches the last digit of total votes -- for example, if your BB# (posted in the comment) is 8991156825 and the total votes (when poll closes) is 35, you win!!

Act now. Offer expires on 6/22/2009.

iTalkBB-Review pays for your opinion

Our poll on iTalkBB's market share has collected 23 votes so far. However, only 4 iTalkBB numbers have been posted for award distribution. For those who have responded to the question, we appreciate your input. But only if you leave your italkbb number here, we can learn of your participation. You could be awarded $20 or $100 (new subscriber) if the last digit of your BB number matches the last digit of total votes -- which is a very good chance. 

Details of this promotion can be found here.

how many people in US/Canada use iTalkBB?

You may notice that we had run many survey polls in the past (see top and bottom of the blog). Yes, we are big fans of statistics. According to US Census 2005, there are about 3.3 million Chinese in USA, and according to Canada statistics 2006, there are about 1 million Chinese speakers in Canada. Since Chinese families in north America are the primary targeted user base for iTalkBB (with recent expansions to Korean, etc.), it comes down to 2-3 million such families, considering a modest growth over the past few years. In recent joint venture of iTalkBB and 263 Network, it is disclosed that iTalkBB's has an annual revenue of 200 million. At the low price that iTalkBB offers, it translates to around 1 million subscribers. That is, 30% to 50% of target users are already using iTalkBB's service. 

This speaks very positively of iTalkBB's product and service. It is quite an achievement given traditional phone and integrated VoIP phone (Comcast, Cablevision, Rogers) still dominate the market, let along other independent VoIP competitors. However, it would also be quite challenging for iTalkBB to keep up with the growth rate it had seen in the past year without serious expansion demographically or geographically.  

Consider joining iTalkBB's service family? Use promotion code "953110+8991156825" online or mention it to customer service -- you will receive a $15 discount.

iTalkBB Survey and Awards

As a promoting dealer for iTalkBB, we're always curious about the current market share of iTalkBB. Since iTalkBB adopts a "word-of-mouth" advertising model with particular emphasis on its referral program (refer a friend and both of you get service credit), we decide to start a survey among existing iTalkBB users. 

From now till July 4th, 12AM EST, you may get up to $100 for completing the following poll. 

Among your Asian friends in US/Canada, how many people are using iTalkBB's phone service?

Here is what you need to do:

1. vote faithfully 
2. submit in the comment (here) your iTalkBB number (899-xxx-xxxx) and any comment that you want to add --- you have to post your i Talk BB number as the evidence of participation
3. when the poll is over (on July 4, 2009), if the last digit of your iTalkBB number matches the last digit of total votes, you win!
4. If you win, send an email to iTalkBB.deal@gmail.com with your name, iTalkBB number, choice of payment method (paypal or paper check), and the account or address for payment

You will receive $100 if you're a new subscriber to iTalkBB between May 17 to July 4, 2009 using promotion code "953110+8991156825" OR $20 if you are already an iTalkBB user by May 17, 2009 -- (limit to first 50 requests).

Happy  voting!!!

--- update: Expiring June 22, 2009, using promotion code "JZ090605V25+8991156825" saves you $29.99 instantly and also qualifies for the $100 drawing.

 

iTalkBB hidden cost

It can be frustrating to follow every steps of a "good deal" and find out some hidden cost (shipping, tax and fee, etc) that breaks the deal. So are there any hidden cost for i Talk BB?

Let's look at the advertised $299/year ibbtalk global unlimited plan. If one actually follows through the registration steps on www.italkbb.com, it would turn out like the following:

There is a $9.99 shipping fee, a $15 device deposit for Linksys SPA-2102 (which we highly recommend over SPA-1001 for reliability), and $35.4 applicable regulatory fees and taxes.

Using promotion code "953110+8991156825" can save you $15 instantly, making the total $344.39, $15 of which would return to you upon service cancelation. -- Scroll your window to the right if your order page shows empty in the amount column. 

There is additional usage charge billed monthly if you make calls to countries that is not covered in the plan or to cellphone numbers in some countries, but this would be unusual. 

Is the $344.39 over the bottom line as a great deal? You decide.

 

Mother's day promotion extended to monthly plan

We have unfortunately over-estimated the interest in our i-talk-bb - Mother's Day (鲜花送母亲) Promotion. As Mother's day 2009 approaches, we find ourself in a situation of over-stocking of gift cards at hand. So, from May 1, 2009, any new subscribers to i-talk-bb using promotion code JZ0315V10+8991156825 for either the monthly $24.99 plan or the yearly $299 global unlimited plan would qualify for the promotion:

• you would get $15 instant savings at sign up
• you would get a ¥200(RMB) for you to purchase gift, which can be delivered to China

Note that you may use your ¥200 balance after Mother's day. Details of the promotion is available here.

Two ways to show your love to dear mom through iTalkBB

Many of us have traveled great distance from China to USA/Canada to study and work. Left at home are our family and friends. Among them are our dearest mothers, who always care about every bit of up and down in our life. We can't be close to her, but through iTalkBB, we can make sure that we are close to her in our heart.

Free Bouquet for Mom

鲜花送母亲

With this exclusive iTalkBB - Review promotion, we get two ways to show our love to dear mom. To qualify for the promotion, you need to:

• Sign up iTalkBB $299/yr Global Unlimited annual plan using promotion code "JZ0315V10+8991156825" between 2009-04-01 and 2009-05-10. In this way, you get unlimited calls both from and to China, and save $15 instantly.

• Send an email to iTalkBB.Deal@gmail.com or post a message to this post, including your email and your iTalkBB number after your account is activated.

• Through email, you will receive a gift account at www.21qs.com with 200RMB balance, which you can use to select a flower bouquet and have it delivered to your dear mom in China.
  --- good news: through special arrangement, these bouquets are discounted to 200 in your gift account.
  

• Tell your mom that you love her...

iTalkBB new coupon code acquired

Update: We are requested by iTalkBB to pull these great coupons off the post. However, if you send email to italkbb.deal@gmail.com with title "coupon request", we will reply you with these promotion codes.

-----------

We have discovered  two great-value iTalkBB coupons. It is limited time offer: expiring Tax day 2009 (04/15). 

* Coupon code hide-by-request saves you $35 instantly with new subscription to the $24.99 monthly plan.

* Coupon code hide-by-request saves you $15 instantly with new subscription to other iTalkBB plans.

Grab it while it lasts!

iTalkBB starts to charge $2.95/mo Regulatory Recovery Fee

Starting from Feb. 15, 2009, iTalkBB will collect a $2.95 "Applicable Regulatory Recovery Fees, Charges and Taxes". This applies to both new customers and existing customers who have already subscribed to a monthly or annual plan. We, both as iTalkBB users and as iTalkBB promotion agents, are quite pissed-off by this sudden change. The added cost is definitely unwelcome. What adds to it is the poor communication of this change to customers. It's not hard to imagine a wave of complaints and billing disputes following this. I hope this post may help clarify things a bit.

Here is our speculation:

As iTalkBB grows in customer base, it becomes increasingly difficult to fly under the radar for regulatory fees, charges and taxes -- which can be as much as 15% from what shows up in our TV, Internet, Mobile phone, or regular phone bills. It is risky not to fully disclose those fees. At some turning point, iTalkBB decides to pass this to customers. Here is what you can find on FAQ of iTalkBB:

What is the Regulatory Recovery Fee?

The iTalkBB service Regulatory Recovery Fee is an additional charge over and above the basic fee for your iTalkBB service. iTalkBB uses this fee to pay our regulatory-related fees and expenses, including taxes, number portability charges, and related legal fees.

Why hasn’t iTalkBB service charged regulatory recovery fee in the past?

iTalkBB makes every effort to provide its customers with most reliable and lowest cost telecommunications services possible. Nevertheless, we must also comply with applicable laws. As results, the $2.95 regulatory fee will be billed to the customer effective 2/15/2009.

For the existing customers, please beware any out-of-date credit card information on iTalkBB site. Service may be interrupted if charge for this fee cannot be processed:

What will happen if iTalkBB is not able to charge through my credit card?

If iTalkBB is not able to put a charge through your credit card, your service will be disconnected at any time. To avoid your telephone service from being interrupted, please update your credit card information if there is a change. If for some reason, iTalkBB is unable to apply charges to your credit card, to avoid interruption of your service, or possible collections, we would like you to fill out the [Charge Authorization Form - click to download] sign and fax it to 1-800-872-2059 or 1-512-637-1451. After receiving your completed form, iTalkBB will apply the agreed amount to your credit card.

Post your comments below. And let's hope iTalkBB can make the transition smooth and meanwhile keep reducing the cost and improving the service. 

 

Another iTalkBB acquisition? not really

News has it that "the acquisition by Telecommunication Group Huge Group of 59% of the ordinary shares of iTalk has lapsed..."  

What?? another acquisition ?? Didn't 263 Network just invest over 100 million RMB in iTalkBB and get 50% stake in return? 

Well, it turns out there are confusingly too many iTalk's. The one referred above is "iTalk Cellular", which is different than the iTalk Global discussed in this blog, or the iTalk Apple phone, or the software iTalk Internet phone. How confusing!

Survey on iTalkBB Features

You probably have noticed the survey at the top of the blog page. In the past, we had run a survey on the quality of iTalkBB phone:

How do you rate iTalkBB's call quality? 


and on iTalkBB's installation process:

How do you rate the installation and setup process of iTalkBB?

Now we are soliciting your opinion on what features from iTalkBB attract you the most. The survey will run for five months. Thank you for your feedback! 

Happy Niu Year From iTalkBB

First of all, Happy Niu Year (ox year) to everyone!!!

To celebrate Niu Year, iTalkBB offers a new promotion to new customers: From now untill 2/28/2009, new subscribers to either the $24.99/month or $299/year Global Unlimited plan will also get unlimited iTalkFreedom service bound to one cellphone of choice. The last time for such promotion was in May 2008. Since then, free iTalkFreedom service has been limited to 200 minutes per month. So grab this Happy Niu Year package, as it is indeed a sweet deal.

More promotion information for iTalkBB can be found here.

Refer 4 friends and get 1 year free from iTalkBB

The new promotion from iTalkBB is simple: while you are party-hopping and enjoying gathering with your friends, simply talk about the great features and deals from iTalkBB; ask them to use CODE "953110+899xxxxxxx" to sign up with iTalkBB if they decide so. The 899xxxxxxx number is your iTalkBB number.

You will get 3 months free service if two new users have sign-ed up using your code in Jan. 2009, or 6 months free service for three new users, or 12 months free service for four new users. Qualifying plans include $24.99/mo or above monthly plans and $299/yr annual plans.

For new users who's interested in getting iTalkBB's service, use promotion code (last step in account registration) "953110+8991156825" to get $15 discount.