Host Gator, a leading provider of shared, dedicated and reseller hosting, announced the launch of VOIPo, a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. VOIPo will operate as an independent subsidiary of Host Gator, and is targeting late September for a live launch.

VOIPo will offer the VoIP telephone service in 6,000 markets throughout 50 US states. The service will be available directly to customers, giving them the ability to place and receive phone calls with their broadband internet connections at a much lower cost than standard phone lines. Through its proprietary platform, Host Gator will also offer the service to its web hosting partners on a reseller basis.

"Let's face it: VoIP is hot and it's getting hotter. As the technology advances, we're fast approaching a point where switching to a VoIP-based service is the only logical option for smart consumers," said Timothy Dick, President & Chief Executive Officer of VOIPo. "VOIPo will not only provide those consumers with a rock-solid option, but it will also allow entrepreneurs nationwide to enter the VoIP market easily and capitalize on the demand."

VOIPo founders Timothy Dick and Brent Oxley have extensive backgrounds in the web hosting industry. Prior to founding VOIPo, Dick served as Vice President of Operations for VoIP provider ViaTalk and web hosting provider HostRocket. Oxley is the President and Founder of Host Gator, one of the world's leading providers of shared, dedicated and reseller hosting. Host Gator currently has over 500,000 domains hosted as well as an extensive network of over 11,000 resellers.

"Offering an emerging technology such as VoIP is a great way for our web hosting reseller partners to expand their service portfolio and generate more revenues," said Oxley. "We plan to duplicate Host Gator's success in reseller hosting with VOIPo's reseller VoIP offerings."

The company is currently conducting private Beta testing and will soon invite pre-launch group members and select Host Gator customers to try out the service. Visit www.VOIPo.com for information regarding the launch.