Google Starts Welcoming New Users to Voice Service

By MIGUEL HELFT
Google’s universal voice mail box is opening up to the masses. In March, the company announced Google Voice, a service aimed at simplifying the way people manage their phone calls, voice mail and text messages. The product is an evolution of GrandCentral, which Google bought nearly two years ago.

The service, which allows users to route all their calls through a single number that can ring home, work and mobile phones simultaneously, drew some rave reviews from the news media and customers.

But there was a catch. Google Voice was available only to existing GrandCentral customers.

On Thursday, Google began rolling out the service more broadly. Users who requested an invitation will begin receiving them via e-mail. Then they’ll be able to choose a number and start Google Voice service.

The service is free, and for now Google has not announced any plans to monetize it. But analysts say the product could help Google’s mobile strategy.

In a note to investors, Ben Schachter, an analyst with Broadpoint AmTech, said:

As with many new Google products/tools, Google Voice will be free for users (but we can envision a scenario where an enhanced version is upsold to enterprises and others). Most importantly, we expect the introduction of Google Voice will help accelerate Google’s mobile penetration by creating a larger mobile ecosystem against which Google can sell/target/monetize advertisements. Additionally, we expect Google Voice to be integrated with Android and, if successful, may help increase penetration of Android-powered smartphones.