Cox Communications has launched a managed IP-based phone service aimed at small businesses based on Cisco's Small Business Communications System in Oklahoma and Las Vegas.
The Cox Managed IP PBX+ service provides an integrated, premises-based, IP PBX (private branch exchange) communications system, aimed at businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Cox Business plans to extend the service to additional markets in 2011.
Each customer's Cisco IP PBX is monitored and managed by Cox Business around the clock. With the service, businesses can share features among up to five networked locations, including four-digit dialing, without incurring long-distance toll charges.
"Managed IP PBX+ provides advanced communications capabilities to small businesses that prefer onsite telecom equipment and frees them to more strategically allocate resources to core business activities," Cox Business vice president of product development and management Kristine Faulkner said in a statement. "Cisco is a recognized data networking and VoIP leader and validates Cox's commitment to partner with best-in-class technology organizations to expand the business product portfolio to meet diverse customer needs."
Cox Business recently became the first cable operator to achieve the Cisco Managed Services Channel Partner Express Certification.
The cable operator in 2007 was the first North American cable provider to deploy a fully owned and managed IP telephony service for businesses, dubbed VoiceManager. Later this year Cox Business expects to launch SIP Trunking, which will let customers more efficiently route voice traffic over IP.
