Broadband ISP Pipex has ripped off the wrapping paper from its new internet telephony service for businesses. "VOIP for Business", as it's called, enables firms to save money on calls by routing them over the net.

The VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service includes security measures that lets people access the net and make phone calls "simultaneously, without losing voice quality or being exposed to hackers targeting their network assets". According to Pipex chief exec Mike Read, this converged solution provides "forward-looking organisations with consolidated voice and data capabilities and the opportunity to deploy IP-based applications in the future".

Elsewhere, Woking-based Magrathea Telecommunications, a wholesale VoIP outfit that provides services to internet telephony service providers, has announced it can now offer countrywide coverage of UK geographic numbering to its VoIP subscribers. This means that end users can opt for phone numbers similar to those offered by BT-line services and the cablecos.

Linus Surguy, Magrathea's technical director, said: "We firmly believe that this was the only way forward to allow VoIP retailers to offer a truly competitive service to the traditional telephone network." ®

Magrathea, is a founding member of ITSPA, the Internet Telephony Service Providers Association. ®

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