Optus has launched a wholesale version of its VoDSL (voice over digital subscriber line) product for channel partners, which it expects to soon account for half of total sales.
It has already received more than 100 applications for the retail version of the service -- first offered on October 22 -- and is pitching it at the SME market.
VoDSL is marketed as a business money-saver, especially for small companies, because it allows them to run multiple phone lines and broadband Internet through a single connection.
The Optus service is being offered through its wholesale DSL network, XYZed, which has established exchanges in 103 areas, covering capital cities as well as key metropolitan and regional areas. It claims the service is available to three out of every four businesses in these areas.
Optus is selling the VoDSL service with either four voice lines and a fast Internet service or eight voice lines, although channel partners will be able to customise the service to suit the needs of customers.
"They [channel partners] benefit by offering bundled solutions," said a spokeswoman for Optus. She added that it would give XYZed's 20 channel partners greater flexibility and extend the range of products they can offer.
"If you have traditionally been strong selling voice products, you can now sell voice and data to your customers," she said.
