Covad Communications announced the availability of its hosted, business-class VoIP service in 42 markets across the U.S. The VoIP services, which are aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, are managed end-to-end. Two versions are offered -- Covad vPBX and Covad PBXi. Covad PBXi is designed to work seamlessly with existing PBX equipment. Covad vPBX is designed as a full PBX alternative. Covad and Covad's dealer network install the service, train users and provide complete customer support. Covad provides a "Dashboard" user interface for the local and long-distance service, visual fax and voice mail, Instant Messaging, audio and web conferencing, call logs, directory services, "Find me/Follow me" and other features.
Covad expects to offer the VoIP service in all 113 major metropolitan statistical areas served by its nationwide broadband network by the end of 2004. http://www.covad.com
- Earlier this year, Covad acquired GoBeam, a privately-owned provider of VoIP, for $48 million in stock. GoBeam, which was based is Pleasanton, California, had more than 13,000 VoIP stations (telephones) serving business customers throughout California and in the Chicago, Illinois area. The company offered a full-feature hosted PBX solution with online management tools.
