TalkTalk teams with Mitel for hosted unified communications

TalkTalk Business has partnered with Mitel to offer UK customers hosted unified communications (UC) solutions.

The internet service provider (ISP) will provide the network – what it calls its Next Generation Network, with claims of double the exchanges of BT or Cable and Wireless – whilst Mitel will offer the software solutions needed for companies to use voice, text and video for communication.

Although UC is growing in popularity, installation can still be pretty costly. By offering it as a service, the initial outlay is removed and users can pay for operating expenses, rather than capital expenditure.

In a joint statement, TalkTalk Business and Mitel also claimed the solution was scalable and flexible – as software upgrades can be instant – whilst touting the appeal to resellers for such an offering.

“Fully hosted, it offers outstanding recurring revenue opportunities with no incremental capital expenditure and pay-as-you-grow flexibility,” it read.

“[It] allows resellers to up-sell and migrate customers onto IP based services and presents additional margin-rich opportunities.”

The service is only in the trial stages at the moment but Andy Hollingworth, director of wholesale at TalkTalk Business, said the companies planned for a full launch early in 2012.