Broadview Networks Gears Up for VoIP

Broadview Networks (Booth 531) is gearing up to offer VoIP services by late fourth quarter, through the company’s agent channel.

Vijay Das, vice president of alternate channels for the carrier, says the company already is talking to select agents in anticipation of the launch. "We are looking for agents who service small and medium-sized businesses, and who have experience with data networks and phone systems," he says, noting that while existing agents have expressed interest in the offer, the company also expects to attract a new group of agents from the systems integrator and interconnect circles.

The service is in trial with 20 customers. In January, Broadview announced successfully completing technical trials of its VoIP network services with small business customers in the New York metropolitan area. The carrier uses its own network and broadband service to deliver VoIP and fully supports safety and security features, such as Enhanced 911 service, Local Number Portability and functions mandated by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA).

The service comes in two versions: one with transport only and one combining transport and CPE. In its market trial, Broadview is supplying Mitel 5020 handsets.

In the latter case, agents would be able to earn commissions off the IP phones, which customers will be able to lease as part of the per-seat charge for the VoIP service. Das says the commission structure has not been determined but will be modeled after its existing structure of 10 percent to 15 percent based on volume.

Broadview Networks serves SMBs and residential customers in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The New York City-based company offers local, long-distance and international voice services; data services; and dial-up and high-speed Internet services using DSL and other technologies.