CenturyLink Rolls Out Small Business VoIP, Partners Get Access Soon

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CenturyLink has introduced Business VoIP for small business customers, a preconfigured service that delivers premium phone features at a flat monthly rate.

CenturyLink’s Vernon Irvin

The new service allows small businesses to acquire a “reliable, cost-effective and advanced” VoIP offering that CenturyLink manages for customers, according to the company. It will be made available to partners sometime in 2018.

“Our new robust communications platform gives these businesses access to enterprise-grade features without the need for on-site IT technical support to install and maintain services,” said Vernon Irvin, CenturyLink’s senior vice president.

The service leverages a single cloud-based UC platform for business-class communications, enhancing flexibility, mobility, collaboration and customer engagement, CenturyLink said.Customers can use their existing analog or IP phone equipment with optional softphone, or purchase new equipment.

“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,” said Amy Lind, IDC’s research manager of business VoIP and UC. “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.”

When purchasing Business VoIP, customers can choose from two packages, both of which include unlimited nationwide long distance, international rates and premium VoIP features. For an additional monthly cost, customers can purchase additional UC features such as Outlook directory and calendar integration, and file sharing between clients, plus integrate multiple devices such as a laptop or cell phone to use their VoIP service when off site.

Last week, CenturyLink launched its hybrid SD-WAN offerings.