CenturyLink is casting its net wider across the business VoIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) market space, announcing a managed, plug-and-play VoIP services platform for small business customers dubbed CenturyLink Business VoIP.
The offering provides pre-configured, premium, plug-and-play digital voice communications at a flat monthly rate, the company highlights.
CenturyLink Business VoIP
Importantly for small businesses, CenturyLink’s new VoIP platform offers managed voice communications akin to those used by much larger businesses and organizations without the need for small businesses to invest in or rely on in-house IT and network technical support and other resources.
The small business VoIP service is based upon a single, Cloud-based unified communications service (UCS) platform. It can be installed and up and running on customers’ existing analog or IP phone equipment or customers can purchase new equipment.
Two managed services packages are on offer. Both include unlimited, nationwide long-distance calling, competitive rates for international calls and premium VoIP features. Additional UCS VoIP features, such as Outlook directory, calendar integration and file sharing among laptops or cell phones, can be tacked on at an additional cost.
“Budget-conscious businesses can rely on CenturyLink to meet all of their technology needs, including high-speed internet plus a suite of offerings with Office 365 and other business applications,” company SVP Vernon Irvin was quoted in a news release.
“Adoption of VoIP solutions is expanding rapidly among small businesses as they look to migrate from traditional phone services to integrated, IP-based voice and unified communications solutions to meet the needs of an increasingly distributed and mobile workforce,” added Amy Lind, research manager, Business VoIP and Unified Communications with IDC.
“Small businesses generally lack budget to make significant technology investments and IT support staff, so they are looking for plug-and-play solutions that offer predictable, flat-rate pricing, require little training or ongoing maintenance and support and that are flexible and scalable.”
