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Voxbone (News - Alert), a wholesale provider of international numbers and call-origination services, announced a new, one-stop support for SMS, for its direct inward dial (DID) numbers. The newly launched function is expected to allow end users with phone numbers in foreign markets to receive text messages, as well as voice calls, at local rates. The new function takes further advantage of IP networks’ capacity to converge voice and data. It also replaces a multi-step, multi-contract process for Voxbone’s carrier and enterprise customers.

According to Voxbone sources its support of SMS is starting with phone numbers in the US, Canada and the UK. Also numbers in other countries within Voxbone’s 50-country inventory will be added in the next few months.

The SMS messages will leverage the long-haul transport mechanism of Voxbone’s voice service. An SMS message texted to a DID will be routed to Voxbone, which will then deliver the message over its IP network to the end user’s provider for ultimate termination, at local texting rates, explained company sources.

Voxbone customers who required phone numbers in foreign markets to accept text messages had to use the services of third-party SMS providers previously. They also had to perform separate configurations and sign separate contracts.

Now via Voxbone, phone numbers can be provisioned instantly, along with all the services consumers may require such as voice, fax and SMS, besides the addition of videos services in the future.

In a press release, Rod Ullens, Voxbone CEO, commented, “On traditional mobile networks, voice and text messaging use completely different systems, requiring different switching equipment and different technical teams.” Ullens added, “In our IP network, voice and text become two features of the same number, configured once. Making it as easy as possible to add features supports our ongoing goal of helping customers get optimal use and/or revenue from their number assets.”

Belgium-based Voxbone offers communications service providers and large businesses worldwide local phone numbers over its own private intercontinental VoIP network dedicated to voice-origination services.

Company sources added that the all-IP architecture of the Voxbone core network enables customers to rapidly deploy new communications services with local presence cost effectively. It also delivers high-quality call origination from 50 countries and more than 4,000 cities, as well as iNum (News - Alert) numbers that enable billing as local calls when dialed through participating carriers anywhere in the world.

The Voxbone number inventory, network, self-administered provisioning and comprehensive SIP adherence will help customers to expand to international markets quickly and efficiently.