The software company certifies Interoute’s Next-Generation telecoms platform to enable secure computer-to computer, phone and mobile calls

London, 10 June 2009 – Microsoft has certified Interoute as the first European service provider to supply Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking for Microsoft Office, and thus enabling business-class unified communications to compete directly with Skype for corporate users. Enterprises looking to benefit from business quality VoIP can now use Interoute One to make free computer to computer calls and dramatically cheaper telephone calls from and to virtually any communications device. Businesses can also avoid international roaming charges on all other calls, enabling international communication at a fraction of the price of traditional telephony.

Angela Salmeron, Research Manager, European Telecoms Group, IDC, commented: “Interoute’s SIP Trunking solution for enterprises is unique in its ability to connect OCS users to the PSTN.  What makes it stand out from other managed VoIP services is its flexibility. Enterprises looking for a secure and cost effective way to migrate to VoIP should look to Interoute One as one of the best voice solutions available today.”

By connecting Microsoft Office Communicator Server R2 to Interoute’s pan-European network via SIP trunking, enterprises can move straight to unified communications and VoIP with Interoute One, without having to discard their previous investment in PBX platforms or by embarking on expensive migration projects. Interoute launched a secure ’Skype without the Skypemares’ offering in Europe three years ago, and pioneered its integration with the Microsoft Unified Communications suite, integrating VoIP with Microsoft’s Live and Office Communications Servers (LCS and OCS) and offers Direct Dial In in 47 Countries. Interoute’s pan European network currently carries 500 million VoIP minutes each month for wholesale carriers and enterprises. 

Victor Schmedding, Communications Sector Lead at Microsoft, said: “The combination of Interoute One and Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 provides a powerful new way for people to use OCS as an external telephony solution and offers customers a rich and integrated communications experience. Interoute is adding significant value to enterprise communications and enabling businesses to better connect people, information and business processes."

Microsoft’s certification of Interoute One means Interoute’s customers can benefit from full Microsoft OCS R2 support, a strong competitive advantage for Interoute as any business running SIP trunking without certification forgoes Microsoft support.  Interoute is also the only certified carrier in the world offering a free trial of outbound calling to OCS customers, available at www.interouteone.com.

Gareth Williams, CEO at Interoute, said: “Microsoft’s certification of Interoute One is a clear endorsement of its capability to provide enterprises with a secure ’Skype-like’ service. With this move Microsoft has opened the floodgates for enterprises wanting an advanced telephony system at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems.”