Cablevision Systems' Optimum Lightpath business division launched an enhanced hosted voice service, which provides a range of new call-processing, mobility and collaboration features.
Optimum Lightpath sells the service as an add-on to its Internet Voice Bundle with flat-rate pricing for preset bundles of phone minutes. The service also offers free calling to other Optimum Lightpath Hosted Voice customers and support for HD Voice.
Based on Metaswitch Networks' MetaSphere multimedia application server, the latest iteration of Optimum Lightpath Hosted Voice provides an expanded feature set, including:
Call processing: Auto attendant, voicemail (urgent message to e-mail or mobile), class of service (restrict long distance, toll or premium), authorization codes, abbreviated dialing, speed dial, one-touch transfer, call park, call forward, do not disturb, directed call pickup, selective call treatment, multiple station/bridged line appearances, music/message on hold, incoming fax server.
Convergence: Unified messaging (voicemail to email and fax to email), soft phone integration, widgets, visual voicemail.
Mobility: Find me/follow me, remote phone, app support for Android, Apple iOS and BlackBerry devices.
Collaboration: Three-party conferencing and Meet-Me audio conferencing, featuring Web-based and Apple iOS support.
Optimum Lightpath first introduced Hosted Voice in January 2009.
"For almost two years, Optimum Lightpath Hosted Voice has successfully delivered value, flexibility and control to midmarket and large businesses, while helping them reign in voice costs and eliminate phone management headaches," Optimum Lightpath senior vice president of marketing and business development Julia McGrath said. "For our latest Hosted Voice offering, we spent considerable time learning more about what businesses wanted from our service, how they wanted to buy it and what features would help empower those using it."
The Hosted Voice service, which includes a Web-based management portal, eliminates the need for customers to maintain an on-premises IP-PBX system. Optimum Lightpath will also provide, install, maintain and monitor new Cisco IP phones and all other equipment necessary, such as power over Ethernet switches, to run the service.
Optimum Lightpath's network spans more than 4,400 route miles connecting more than 4,500 locations.
