Qwest Blends IP and Legacy Phone Features

Up to this point there has been a general expectation that advanced communications features require full replacement of regular phone services by VoIP. But service providers have had the ability to graft "plain old telephone service" with additional features provided by softswitches or unified communications servers.

 

Embarq (News - Alert) does it. And many CLECs figured out years ago they could add find me-follow me and unified messaging features even when a customer uses a POTS circuit.

 

Now, Qwest (News - Alert) is doing so as well. Qwest's new "qHome" service allows Qwest POTS customers to manage their email, voicemail, instant messaging, contacts and call logs using Web interfaces. Developed with Microsoft (News - Alert), qHome gives customers online access to Qwest home phone service features. The service requires Qwest phone service and Qwest High-Speed Internet service.

 

Through the qHome online portal, customers can see who's calling their home phone, listen to voicemail, forward messages, manage their contacts and place a phone call with a click of a mouse, Qwest says. When qHome customers are away from home, they can log into the qHome portal from most computers, remotely view and manage their home phone activity and receive instant message pop-ups of incoming home phone calls with Windows Live Messenger.

 

With qHome, customers can prioritize email and voicemail messages. The "qMessaging" feature allows users to see who is calling the Qwest home phone line, listen to voicemails, and see the ten most recent voicemails and calls logged.

 

Users also can manage certain call detail preferences, voicemail features and Qwest Choice Home phone features online. "Quickcall" allows users to manage contacts in one place as well as use a PC to initiate a call on the Qwest Choice Home phone line.