Monday, March 15, 2004

Level 3 Readies Wholesale Consumer VoIP Service

Level 3 Communications will rollout two new residential VoIP services later this month aimed at broadband users. Level 3 plans to offer the service in more than 300 markets across the U.S. by year's end. The services will be sold through U.S. cable operators, ISPs and enhanced service providers. The company said its service will offer national coverage, enable local number portability, and will meet 911 and E911 interconnection standards across the U.S.

As part of the announcement, Level 3 reiterated a VoIP strategy spanning three key areas:

  • Wholesale services sold directly to carriers and other voice service providers;


  • Enterprise services designed for small and medium sized businesses, sold through local phone companies, value-added resellers and other distribution channels, and;


  • Consumer services aimed at the residential market, sold through cable operators, ISPs and other communications companies in a position to sell voice services to the home.


Level 3 also announced plans to introduce voice services in Europe during the second half of 2004. http://www.level3.com