Microsoft News Tracker

Qwest and Microsoft to Deliver VoIP Services via the Desktop to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses:

Today at Fall 2005 VON, Qwest Communications International Inc. and Microsoft Corp. announced that they are working together to provide small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers with a converged communications solution. By integrating the Microsoft® Solution for Enhanced VoIP services with Qwest’s OneFlex™ Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services, Qwest will offer SMB subscribers a comprehensive managed suite of services that combines VoIP, e-mail, Internet access, collaboration, presence, instant messaging and desktop services.

Qwest and Microsoft expect the service will be available in 2006. Qwest is the first service provider to integrate the Microsoft Solution for Enhanced VoIP Services.
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The Microsoft Solution for Enhanced VoIP Services combines hosted versions of Microsoft server products including Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 and Windows® SharePoint® Services with Sylantro Systems’ Application Feature Server.

Here’s the original Microsoft/Sylantro press release and the the Hosted Messaging and Collaboration home page.

Update: Today, AOL also announced a VoIP offering. Russell Shaw has the details:

This morning, AOL is announcing the impending availability of its new TotalTalk VoIP service.

The service, which will debut October 4, will be embedded within AOL’s new AIM Triton software, which will be posted for download in the next day or two.