Verizon launched One Talk, a ‘mobile first’ solution that gives mobile workers an integrated business phone solution for their mobile devices. The solution allows small and medium businesses to seamlessly move business calls between a business desktop phone and a mobile device, or go mobile only.
The service allows mobile workers to put their business phone line on their mobile phone as a separate account, allowing mobile phones to take and receive business calls. One Talk also offers a traditional desktop phone that integrates with the mobile app, but currently doesn’t support third party business phone systems or desktop phones.
The service uses HD Voice on Verizon’s 4G LTE network, allowing mobile workers to talk on the phone and use smartphone data connectivity simultaneously. HD Voice supports WiFi calling as well. The integrated desktop service uses VoIP over a broadband connection.
SMB Mobile Workers Are Target
A One Talk user installs an app on their smartphone to access the service. In addition to business voice calls, app features include simultaneous ring, an auto attendant/receptionist, 6-way conference calling, hunt group assignment, and video calling.
One Talk subscribers do not have to be Verizon Wireless customers and employees can use their own personal smartphone.
“We designed One Talk to be flexible, to meet the needs of the 39 million employees working in small businesses across the U.S., and to scale to medium businesses as well,” said Mike Lanman, senior vice president of IoT and Enterprise Products at Verizon in a press release. “Whether they’re a startup or an established business, with One Talk, businesses can now interact with customers on their mobile devices with the same robust functionality of their office phones virtually anywhere and anytime.”
Verizon is targeting small business customers who don’t have a sophisticated business phone system or unified communications (UC) platform, both of which provide similar mobile integration capabilities for larger businesses.
One Talk Pricing
In a FAQ on the One Talk product web page, Verizon says One Talk will ‘typically’ cost $25 per month per user for the integrated smartphone/desk phone option. If you go mobile only, the price drops to $15. The integrated option requires the purchase of a new One Talk compatible desktop phone. Additional features like Auto Receptionist incur a separate monthly fee ($20 in this case).
At a time when cable companies are making significant inroads with the SMB sector, Verizon specifically called out their cable competitors as challenged to offer a similar service.
“One Talk is available nationwide, while cable companies are limited by regional geographic footprints and struggle to support out-of-network employees,” says Verizon in a press release.
Bad decision. Switching back.