Cloud Net offers dedicated plug-and-play VoIP

Small businesses could benefit from a new Cloud Net VoIP service

Cloud Net is to offer a dedicated VoIP and businesses switchboard (PBX) service for a fixed monthly fee, claiming that the service will save money on call costs for small businesses, startups and home workers.

The company said that Cloud Net Connect Hosted VoIP is the first offering of its kind to provide a plug-and-play VoIP system which removes the need to pay for new PBX hardware or handsets.

Cloud Net owns and maintains the network on which the service operates, rather than leasing network space, and claims to guarantee a high level of service, although businesses are also free to run the service via their existing broadband provider.

Charles Chance, managing director at Cloud Net, said that the success of software such as Skype means that companies are aware of the benefits of VoIP, adding that today's announcement provides a simple and cost-effective answer.

"We believe we are the first company to allow customers to truly benefit from a plug-and-play business VoIP solution. We have removed the headache of deciphering pricing plans by making our costs all-inclusive," he said.

Cloud Net offers features such as conferencing, caller ID, voice mail and call recording within each package on offer, in addition to free calls to other offices and remote workers on the company's network.

Calls outside the Cloud Net network offer competitive rates, the firm said. Calls to UK landlines and mobiles start at 9p per minute, while international calls include from 1.3p per minute to the US and from 3.2p per minute to New Zealand.

The service will be available at a starting price of £8.50 per user per month, including handsets.