Global Crossing announced the launch of a hosted Voice over IP (VoIP) service. Global Crossing Hosted IP Voice combines the functionality of a traditional private branch exchange (PBX) with additional value-added services, delivered over Global Crossing's MPLS-based global IP network. The service has been developed in collaboration with TeleWare Plc, the UK's leading provider of intelligent business communication solutions to enterprises and service providers.



With Global Crossing Hosted IP Voice, businesses of any size can take advantage of managed, network-based IP telephony without the need for on-site equipment and with added flexibility, since all features can be accessed via the office telephone, at home or via mobile. Global Crossing's high- performance IP network supports the consistent delivery of TeleWare's IP centrex voice services and advanced features such as personal numbering, multiple call appearance, unified communications and team working.

Global Crossing Hosted IP Voice is targeted to resellers and service providers who are expanding their portfolios to include VoIP and to ISPs focused on the enterprise market. This centrex VoIP service allows resellers to secure additional market share and to generate new revenue streams from recurring monthly rentals and voice minutes. Hosted IP Voice complements their existing portfolios and offers differentiation at a time when the traditional TDM voice market is reaching saturation and is subject to intense price pressure.

"This offer is another example of execution of our strategy to deliver global IP services to enterprises on both a direct basis and indirectly by working with partners to create IP solutions for resellers serving small and medium-sized enterprises," said Anthony Christie, Global Crossing's chief marketing officer. "Hosted IP Voice is a compelling solution that integrates the performance and resilience of our flexible IP capabilities with an advanced suite of IP centrex voice services. With this package, small and medium enterprises can take the first step towards implementing IP telephony while using their existing voice equipment."

Global Crossing established its leadership in the VoIP arena four years ago and currently runs two billion minutes per month of traffic over its private, global platform.

"For the SME, this solution frees capex and enables it to grow at a predictable ongoing cost without having to worry about upgrading or replacing their PBX," said Steve Haworth, group strategy director for TeleWare. "Outsourcing the management of hardware reduces the demands on busy IT and telecoms staff, while the customer enjoys carrier grade resilience without the need to make resilient design decisions. With the advent of services that are feature-rich and flexible enough to handle future requirements, 2005 will be the year that IP centrex hosted services for business finally arrive."

Global Crossing Hosted IP Voice offers four service bundles for standard, advanced and executive users, plus an operator console service for multi-line call supervision. Some of the common features include geographical direct dial inwards, caller line ID, abbreviated dialing, soft phone client, voicemail that can be accessed by the telephone or Web interface, internal hotdesking and a Web portal to check preferences, performance statistics and billing, and to provision extensions.

The service can be scaled up or down in step with an enterprise's changing needs and includes a choice of network access from IP VPN, DSL or the Internet. Consolidating voice and data traffic over a single IP platform opens the way for considerable savings on network costs. Charges are levied on a monthly per-user basis, making telecom budgeting easier because there is no capital outlay, nor hidden costs. All on-net calls are included in the monthly recurring cost of the extension, including calls between different sites. The service is available initially in the UK.

Global Crossing Hosted IP Voice is particularly suited to businesses that are expanding and require new sites to be connected or those that have numerous mobile or home-based employees. This hosted IP solution provides an entry point for migrating voice onto data networks, and it provides an IP centric solution for businesses facing problems with the inter-operability of PBXs.

For enterprises that have key systems or PBXs that have reached the limit of their capacity or who are considering contract renewal options, Global Crossing Hosted IP Voice service provides a flexible solution that delivers the benefits of VoIP with no capital outlay. The service is designed to fully integrate with a customer's existing PBX, providing additional features as an overlay to the technology being currently used.