Business Serve signs strategic partnership with ZyXEL to bring cheap internet telephone calls to the domestic market

The alliance will bring free or cheap Internet calls (VoIP) via specially configured handsets and downloaded software to the domestic market.

The alliance will combine Business Serve’s VoIP service, PipeCall, with ZyXEL manufactured hardware equipment, such as broadband connecters and Wi-Fi phones. The partnership centres on marketing and retailing jointly branded products and services through high street retail electrical chains.

The launch of a 'plug-and-play' CD, developed in-house by Business Serve, allows customers to simply and easily configure very cheap telephone calls over their broadband connections. CDs, with the hardware, will be available from high street stores or over the Internet.

Justin Kuo, General Manager at ZyXEL Communications A/S, commented:

"Signing an alliance with Business Serve is an important step and gives us further in-roads into the growing VoIP marketplace. We recognise Business Serve as an innovative player within the communications sector, one of the key criteria during the partner-selection process. Business Serve has demonstrated its capability to develop the technology, which will accelerate the adoption rates of VoIP to a cross-section of end-users including corporate and retail customers. The combined solution will provide us with a successful route to market."

Simon Cleaver, Chief Executive Office, Business Serve plc commented:

"Our development of ‘plug-and-play’ technology has generated interest from a number of key companies within the telecommunications industry. ZyXEL is a natural fit with our existing portfolio.

"Our Internet telephony service and ZyXEL’s hardware combine to provide a cost effective VoIP solution aimed at all levels of end user but particularly the domestic market via high street retail outlets. It will enable consumers to substantially cut their fixed line telephone calls and the associated cost."


About Business Serve plc

Business Serve plc is one of the leading Converged Communication providers in the UK. By combining traditional ISP products with Telecommunication services, including VoIP technology, Business Serve is able to deliver highly resilient and cost effective Converged Communication solutions to the corporate, SME and SoHO marketplaces.

Business Serve, in the last few years, has shown rapid expansion through a combination of organic growth and acquisition. Employing 204 staff within five offices nationwide, Business Serve is concentrating on providing cutting edge products with increased user flexibility designed to deliver an excellent and constantly improving customer experience.

http://www.businessserve.co.uk

About ZyXEL Communications UK Ltd

ZyXEL Communications UK Ltd is the UK subsidiary of a market leading end-to-end designer and manufacturer of xDSL, firewall, wireless, routing and IP switching equipment. The company offers comprehensive technical support and customer service to the ISP, Telco and IT distribution channel.

ZyXEL was founded in 1989 as a modem developer with the mission to create Internet access solutions that accelerate information exchange and improve effectiveness of people and organisations.

ZyXEL is one of the world's leading broadband access solutions specialists. With headquarters located in Taiwan, ZyXEL maintains offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, ZyXEL has more than 1000 employees globally, with distributors in more than seventy countries, and products marketed in more than 150 countries on five continents.

http://www.zyxel.co.uk