National Internet phone provider Vonage has officially launched voice-over-Internet service in Central and Eastern Oregon, the company announced Friday.

Vonage is the latest provider of voice-over-Internet protocol, or VOIP, in Central Oregon’s increasingly crowded telecommunications market. The technology uses high-speed Internet connections to transfer phone signals.

The launch is effective immediately within the 541 area code. The area includes Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, and cities such as Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Hood River and The Dalles.

”We’re giving consumers in the Central Oregon region broadband telephone service plans they cannot get from their local or long distance phone companies,” said Vonage America President Michael Tribolet in a written statement, referring to the company’s inclusion of unlimited calling within the United States with most of its service plans.

In addition to some smaller providers, BendBroadband announced earlier this month that it launched VOIP service for Redmond and Terrebonne customers. The company is expected to launch Bend service early next month.

The Vonage modem was previously available to customers nationwide, but the company did not list Central Oregon as a served market on its Web site before Friday’s announcement.

Several customers in Central Oregon had mail-ordered Vonage devices prior to Friday’s announcement.

”It’s absolutely great,” said Marigale Compton of Bend, a retired financial adviser. ”When you get a call, they take that message and put it on your e-mail account so you can pick it up on the computer.”

”My Vonage bill is half of what my phone bill used to be,” said Alison Miner of Bend, an art shop owner.

However, some calls drop out occasionally, she said.

BendBroadband isn’t worried about the new VOIP competition, said Paul Azar, the company’s vice president of VOIP. BendBroadband has local technical support, something that Vonage lacks, added Azar, who welcomes another VOIP player.

”With Central Oregon’s phenomenal growth, it attracts competition,” Azar said. ”We feel that, the more choices the consumer has, the better it is for the entire industry.”

Vonage plans range from $14.99 to $49.99 a month. More information can be found at www.vonage.com.