Verizon Business has expanded availability of its VoIP portfolio to the Australian market, offering Verizon IP Integrated Access and Verizon Hosted IP Centrex to customers in six Australian cities. Verizon Business customers in Australia can now benefit from the advanced functionality offered by Verizon VoIP, as well as realise cost efficiencies from transitioning their voice and data services to a single IP platform.

The Verizon VoIP portfolio integrates network and customer premises equipment into a single platform, offering businesses a simple, efficient way to transition their voice and data services to IP technology at their own pace and irrespective of their stage of IP implementation. The ability to simply transition voice and data communications onto a converged IP platform is key for organisations wishing to implement next-generation communications to meet their business objectives.

Verizon Business' global footprint and extensive voice network coverage enable the company to offer one of the most extensive VoIP portfolios available. IP Integrated Access consolidates voice and data traffic over a single IP network whilst keeping the traditional PBX in place. Hosted IP Centrex is a robust, scalable and feature-rich VoIP service delivered from a hosted platform. This is particularly beneficial for customers who are moving to or establishing a new location or replacing an outdated PBX or key system. Verizon VoIP is fully supported by industry- leading service-level agreements.

John Irvine, vice president of international marketing for Verizon Business, commented: "Our industry-leading VoIP portfolio addresses our customers' need to move to a converged communications environment on a global basis, but at their own pace and in line with their own business objectives. In this converged IP environment, VoIP can work in harmony with other IP-based tools such as conferencing and Instant Messaging to enhance business collaboration and performance. Bringing IP Integrated Access and Hosted IP Centrex to the Australian market will help our Australian customers to transition to this IP world."

Andrew Dobbins, vice president of sales and service for Asia-Pacific, Verizon Business, commented: "This announcement is testament to our ongoing commitment to extending availability of our products and services to our multinational customers' key business locations. We're delighted to continue to expand our global VoIP portfolio availability into the APAC region, and look forward to further extending its reach into this dynamic market in the coming months."

Mayur Sahni, Analyst at Current Analysis, said: "Verizon Business' launch of its VoIP services in Australia is a positive move, as this will strengthen the company's product portfolio and competitive position in the market. In addition, with Verizon Managed IP PBX and Verizon IP Trunking in the pipeline, and expansion plans from six to 12 cities in the near future, Verizon Business is well placed as a long-term ICT partner."