Comcast Business (Nasdaq: CMCSA) has made the Houston, Texas region the latest target for its cloud-based unified communications (UC) services set.
One of the advantages that the cable MSO hopes it can use to win over area businesses is that its VoiceEdge UC solution forgoes the requirement of purchasing and maintaining an on-site PBX or key system.
Following recent expansion efforts in the Northeast market, the service provider has continually been expanding the reach of its UC service. To date, the service is available in 19 states in its footprint with plans to expand it into other markets by the end of the year.
In addition to Houston, Comcast's VoiceEdge service was initially available in 14 states, from Maine through Virginia and the District of Columbia, as well as Chicago.
It can also upsell local businesses other traditional voice services such as its Business Class Trunks, a service that provides business customers a connection between their telephone system, PBX and the Comcast network.
While Comcast Business is arguably still a new player in the business space, it has over the past five years been building up its service and network capabilities to serve not only small business but increasingly, medium-sized business through both organic growth initiatives and targeted acquisitions like New Global Telecom and Cimco.
With Houston being a market that's dominated by incumbent provider AT&T (NYSE: T), Comcast needs to continue adding features and support for business customers that are either new or are considering an alternative provider.
For more:
- see the release
Case Study: Comcast Business takes a continuous improvement model to CEM
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