Innovation in the telecommunications space can mean great benefits for consumers and new challenges for telcos. The introduction of VoIP and easy access to Skype (News - Alert) over data-connected mobile phones challenged a proven money-making revenue stream for mobile providers. It forced these providers to find new ways to make money while responding to market demand. The more the provider could appeal to the user beyond standard connections, the better the chance of dominating the industry.
Verizon (News - Alert) is one of those companies that has to stay abreast of the latest demands and innovations in order to remain relevant. Given its leadership position in the marketplace, the company that coined the phrase, “Can you hear me, now?” is aiming to appeal even more to the enterprise sector. Wireless Connect VoIP from Verizon Enterprise Solutions will now eliminate long-distance charges for any calls that originate from VoIP customers in the U.S. to any Verizon Wireless (News - Alert) phone.
VoIP monitoring in these commercial environments should point to the charges related to staying connected. When this cost is eliminated from this channel, companies focused on national and international business connections should see significant return on investment in the company’s VIPER (VoIP IP Enterprise Routing) service available on Verizon’s Rapid Delivery platform. Users already enjoy no-cost calls made between customers on the platform, a perk that is now extended to calls that end on the provider’s wireless network.
This move could easily set Verizon apart from other providers. According to Amy Lind (News - Alert), research manager for Enterprise VoIP and UC for IDC, quoted in a recent Channel Partners Online news piece, this benefit for VoIP customers hasn’t been offered by other providers in the market. Employees and consumers rely more and more on mobile connections, making this move a good one for business customers.
Customers using VIPER on the Verizon network enjoy an environment without additional hardware or software investments. It will automatically recognize outgoing numbers associated with the account, eliminating the need for customers to predefine mobile numbers. The practice takes VoIP monitoring to a whole new level, enabling users to glean even more benefit, simply for using the platform.
“We see this as an ideal offering particularly for our business VoIP customers that communicate with people on the go," said Tom Dalrymple, director of Product Development and Management for Verizon in Channel Partners Online. “Organizations across industries including retail, distribution, finance, transportation and manufacturing can more efficiently communicate with customers, mobile employees and suppliers."
As one of the companies that originally fought VoIP, it’s nice to see Verizon embrace the technology and the benefits of VoIP monitoring to extend certain perks to its user base. In doing so, the company is adding more value, making it harder for customers to want to jump ship.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson