Google fast tracks Voice for soldiers

Google Voice links VoIP and mobile devices through a single number

Google is adding a new feature to its Voice telephony service in the hope of making life easier for members of the armed forces stationed overseas.

The company is streamlining the Voice signup process for members of the US military with an active .mil email address, and allowing family members to set up accounts for soldiers who have already been deployed overseas.

Google Voice will also allow soldiers to send and receive voice messages online.

"For servicemen and women who are constantly on the move, having a single number and an easy way to retrieve messages from loved ones can be invaluable," wrote US Army sergeant Dale Sweetnam, Google's 'military fellow', in a blog post.

"While you live and work in a different world, everyone else moves on with life back home. Your family and friends keep moving, and this sometimes means it's just not possible for them to stay awake until 2am to receive a phone call. "

Google Voice was launched earlier this year, and allows users to link VoIP and mobile devices through a single number. Google recently extended the service to BlackBerry and Android devices.