Virtual PBX has expanded its Open VoIP Peering service to include support of any SIP-compliant phones. Users of any SIP-compliant softphone or desktop phone can now tap into the benefits of the Virtual PBX Open VoIP Peering service. This service allows small businesses to take advantage of the robustness and features of traditional hosted PBX services and leverage the cost-effectiveness of VoIP technology. Today’s announcement allows customers more freedom to mix and match SIP-compliant phones with Virtual PBX’s hosted PBX services.

Breaking Down Proprietary Barriers for Users

Hosted IP-PBX providers that support native VoIP traffic usually have closed proprietary implementations. Customers have usually been locked into VoIP, softphone and even telephone handset offerings from the same company that provides the PBX service. Virtual PBX is giving its users more choice by supporting open standards. Rather than being limited to the features and capabilities of just a single vendor, clients can choose the offering that best fits their needs. Virtual PBX believes this will ultimately provide richer services for clients, since each player can bring unique content and features to the table. At the same time, total costs can be cut by sending more traffic through less expensive technologies. There is no extra cost from Virtual PBX for accessing softphones as opposed to other players who charge extra for proprietary digital-enabled phone extensions.

Up until this announcement, Virtual PBX’s VoIP peering implementation worked only with VoIP service that used the North America Numbering Plan to address phones. Now, customers can choose any phone that complies with established SIP standards, including products from top vendors like Truphone, Callcentric, Ekiga and Gizmo5, giving full freedom of choice in price, features and vendors.

Reducing Costs

Hosted IP-PBX services provide businesses with phone systems without the high costs of installing and maintaining PBX equipment. Typical prices range from $25 to $60 per user per month, averaging about $40 per user. Virtual PBX’s VoIP Peering product, the iVPBX plan, reduces that price to just $10 per user. The iVPBX product includes all standard Virtual PBX features, such as a virtual receptionist, ACD queuing, voicemail, conferencing and follow-me forwarding.