BroadSoft announces that Communications-as-a-Service providers, SimpleSignal and Telesphere have commenced pilot testing of IP-powered communication application stores based on BroadSoft's Marketplace. These new stores will offer third-party applications and services, allowing end-users to directly purchase and use communications applications online. The SimpleSignal and Telesphere online stores are first among fixed-line VoIP service providers and add momentum to BroadSoft's Xtended program, which was established to benefit service providers and their subscribers with a choice of compelling and innovative third-party applications.

Based on a revenue sharing model, the BroadSoft Marketplace allows BroadSoft-powered service providers to tap into the innovation of BroadSoft's more than 3,000-strong developer community, while offering BroadSoft Xtended developers a clear monetization opportunity for their creativity. Through the BroadSoft Marketplace, the service providers and developers can capitalize on the revenue opportunities created by subscribers' increasing demands for richer, more specialized communication interactions. Examples of applications featured in the pilot stores include:

• PhoneTag - PhoneTag is a service that automatically transcribes voice messages into text and delivers them by SMS or email. Users can read their voice messages in near real-time.
• QuickSet Pro - A desktop application that runs on the Adobe Air platform, allowing access to several IP phone services from a Windows PC or Mac. A variety of other applications focused on customer relationship management, business productivity, personal communications and mobile interactions over iPhone and BlackBerry devices are also in development.