IPtimize launches Voice Pilot

IPtimize this week officially took the wraps off its managed voice-over -IP service, targeting both ISPs as well as other service providers.

Voice Pilot allows users to employ either a desktop-based soft phone, traditional handsets via analog telephone adapters or a SIP-based handset. On the back end, IPtimize is using Level 3 gateways to connect to the public network and providing its own session border controller when connecting to other IP providers. The company also is using New Global Telecom, a managed wholesale provider of VoIP solutions that uses both Cisco Systems and Broadsoft, for several other elements of the service.

"We can work with clients in a number of different models including the bring-your-own-broadband models," said Jeff Veres, COO of IPtimize.

At the desktop, the company is anticipating a mix of both soft phones, traditional sets and more sophisticated SIP handsets, largely depending on the specific needs of the end user. The goal, however, is to reach 1000 desktops activated by the end of the year. At the retail level, IPtimize is looking for smaller ISPs that may cover just one or two markets and wants to add voice services to its product lineup.

"We’re going to create and manage the Voice Pilot brand," said Clint Wilson, executive vice president of corporate development for IPtimize. "Ideally [our target ISPS] have got some capability on their own staff, but they haven’t figured out how to put VoIP on their network."