Customers can now obtain Pure IP’s voice services via the Zoom Phone Provider Exchange program. The program offers a new way to add external PSTN calling to Zoom Phone, utilizing enhanced cloud peering to connect the carrier’s network to the Zoom network. It is, in essence, a cloud-hosted version of Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC) which eliminates the need for on-premises equipment and additional hardware.
Initially, Zoom had only selected a handful of providers to take part in the program, establishing connections from its data centres to the chosen provider networks through trusted cross-connects.
Ian Guest, Marketing Director at Pure IP, said: “We pride ourselves on our platform-neutral approach and providing external voice connectivity for all the major communications platforms.
“Zoom has become one of the leading cloud-based communications platforms over the last few years, and it made absolute sense for us to be part of the program.
“There were a number of factors which contributed to our selection, including our reputation as a trusted voice provider; global coverage; technical capabilities; a commitment to making it happen and our agility in meeting the requirements and timescales”
What is Zoom Phone?
Zoom Phone is a cloud phone solution with several in-built features which users can access on mobile devices, desktops, or desk phones. Built for businesses of all sizes, it allows users to provision their numbers from within the familiar Zoom interface. It is simple to deploy and use Zoom Phone on a mobile device, desktop, or desk phone and is built upon a secure, reliable, and extensible UCaaS platform architecture.
What is the Phone Provider Exchange Program?
The Phone Provider Exchange program is now the third option for adding calling to Zoom, alongside Zoom Phone Plans and Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC). It enables companies to migrate their enterprise telephony to the cloud and provides access to voice services from third-party carriers via Zoom without needing to purchase or install any new hardware.
The Pros and Cons of the Phone Provider Exchange Program
- The Phone Provider Exchange enables the cloud peering connectivity between Zoom Phone and the BYOC PSTN Provider to be seamless, secure, and simple with an intuitive partner app available on the Zoom App Marketplace.
- Zoom Phone offers coverage in 45 countries, but businesses operating outside of these will need to use the BYOC or Phone Provider Exchange solution. While this may be the best option for some, it is only available in countries with Zoom’s network coverage, making it potentially more expensive.
- The BYOC program lets businesses choose their SIP carrier, but companies must install on-site hardware. This isn’t ideal for many companies, given the drive towards cloud communications. The Phone Provider Exchange program offers the same advantages as BYOC, which is entirely cloud-based, and it also enables number provisioning from within Zoom.In terms of costs, Zoom Phone Plans offer local and international packages and charge on a per-user, per-month basis. BYOC and Phone Provider Exchange have the advantage that customers can choose from a selection of providers to find the most cost-effective option. Customers will also be able to choose between call rates, monthly rental costs, support fees, bills per usage or per user per month because they are all agreed upon directly with your provider.
- The ability to choose between providers, bypassing Zoom’s calling plans, generally gives Phone Provider Exchange and BYOC the cost-saving edge. When you factor in the maintenance fees of traditional BYOC solutions, Phone Provider Exchange usually comes out on top. On the downside, more choices mean more time searching for the right provider, comparing pricing, services, regulatory approvals, and licenses.
Guest told UC Today: “The Zoom Phone Provider Exchange program is part of Zoom’s BYOC offering, providing a complete cloud-based solution using cloud peering connection between Zoom cloud and the provider’s network.
