Level 3 forges new VoIP deal

BOSTON--Level 3 Communications made several customer announcements at the VON show here today, strengthening the company’s position as a wholesaler of voice-over-IP capabilities to service providers serving users across both consumer and enterprise sectors.

The company is providing its HomeTone service to broadband provider Speakeasy, giving that company a platform for offering residential VoIP service in 120 U.S. markets. The service bundle, called Speakeasy Voice, includes local and long-distance services as well as 911 and E911.

The Speakeasy model is an example of how Level 3 can equip companies with existing broadband brands with a complete voice component to complement their offerings, said Matthew Steinfort, vice president of softswitch strategy for Level 3. "They aren’t in the voice business, but they have a good brand, so they buy a full turnkey service from us," he said. Level 3 also announced that New Global Telecom, a provider of outsourced switching and network operation services, is buying VoIP origination and termination services to support both its wholesale and residential services. Cable operator Charter Communications, meanwhile, awarded Level 3 a contract to provide long-distance voice and local interconnection services in some of its markets. Steinfort said those deals point to the range of capabilities Level 3 can offer different categories of service providers looking to add VoIP to the mix.

"Everyone has their own strategy," he said. "They’re either different on features, on price, or they have the ability to bundle."

Finally, the company announced that its 10-month-old Level(3)Enabled Partner Program now has more than 100 channel partners, the newest being Atlanta-based Reignmaker Communications. "We’ve really beefed up our channel organization," said Oliver Davis, vice president of voice product marketing for Level 3.