C&W opts for Straight Talk to small firms
Networking vendor launches voice package aimed at SMEs
Cable & Wireless (C&W) has launched a voice package aimed at SMEs, which it hopes will steal market share from rival BT.
The vendor is offering Straight Talk through its ever-expanding network of channel partners.
The service offers businesses a single, standard monthly charge for fixed-line voice services, and C&W claimed it can help them save up to 25 per cent.
According to C&W, the package includes national, international, local and mobile minutes and, where applicable, line rental, allowing firms to predict and plan monthly billing.
Rob Mukherjee, business manager partner channel at C&W, said: "This is a new proposition for partners to take to market, and they can benefit from commission plans around the service.
"It will be an aggressive customer recruitment campaign. We are hoping partners will not only address existing customers, but BT's and other operators' markets as well."
Straight Talk is available in three tariffs ? Option 1, 2 or 3 ? allowing businesses to plan spending by selecting the option offering the quota of minutes to suit demand. C&W will review pricing every six months.
Partners can also offer a range of value-added services. These include two web-based resource tools and Call Guard, which analyses call costs, monitors usage and alerts end-users to unauthorised use.
Mukherjee added that the new service fits in well with C&W's recently launched distribution strategy (CRN, 18 April), which it hopes will extend its reach into SMEs.
Andrew Davies, director for carrier services at C&W solution partner Worldwide ISDN, said: "It is very different from anything available on the market at the moment, unless you are a mobile or residential customer, and it is a good differentiator for partners against the competition. I think BT will be responsive to this."
"It is also moving towards single-supply status: allowing customers to have one-stop ordering instead of maintaining several relationships with different carriers."
BT was unavailable for comment.