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Optus Enters SMB VoIP Fray |
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Written by Adam Gosling
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Tuesday, 06 March 2007 |
Major developments in the Australian VoIP market today with the announcement by Singtel-owned Optus Communications to launch a Voice over IP service targeted at Small and Medium Business. The new service is expected to be online by second quarter.
Dubbing it "The VoIP product other telcos don't want you to
know about," Optus, the number two Australian carrier, has a lot less
to lose from VoIP than incumbent competitor Telstra which is yet to
offer retail VoIP services to either the small business or consumer
markets.
Making a commitment that SMBs will not have to "compromising on the quality of standard fixed line services", Optus
said the bundled solution it has in mind will combine Internet,
intranet and voice in a solution that has the "ability to replace the
need for large numbers of fixed lines".
Paul
Kitchin, Managing Director, Optus Small and Medium Business said, "The
launch of Optus ipPhone Premier will transform the way SMBs do business.
"With
this VoIP product our customers will be able to enjoy the benefits and
flexibility of the Internet while continuing to experience the same
level of call quality they have become accustomed to on their current
fixed line services," he said.
Ironically Kitchin describes the
VoIP arena as "an area of much market hype" while also saying "steady
growth is occurring among businesses with existing IP data networks".
Another
ipPhone service, dubbed 'ipPhone Express' will be offered as a "simple,
low cost solution tailored for businesses needing additional phone
lines.
"Optus VoIP will allow SMB
customers to manage their telecommunication needs with features
traditionally enjoyed by big businesses such advanced call routing and
a simple call management interface,"Kitchin said in the statement.
Optus has partnered with Cisco Systems' volume products division, Linksys, for the hardware component of the offering.
"Optus' VoIP is the technology that other telcos
don't want customers to know about. We anticipate that both new and
existing customers will be impressed with the cost efficiency and
functionality of our VoIP products,"Kitchin said.
However, the
company was shy on detail saying that pricing and other product
information detail will not be available until closer to launch time.
It did has moved to protect its existing consumer fixed line business
which stating that business customers
must supply Optus with a valid and current ABN (Australian Business Number).
It has posted a web page for Optus VoIP please at www.optus.com.au/voip
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