Business has been ranked at the top of a new Hosted VoIP and Unified Communications Provider Matrix released by ABI Research. New Global Telecom and Smoothstone IP Communications Corporation claimed the second and third spots.

The Vendor Matrix is an analytical tool developed by ABI Research to provide a clear understanding of vendors’ positions in specific markets. Vendors are assessed on the parameters of “innovation” and “implementation” across several unique criteria.

According to senior analyst Subha Rama, “Verizon is one of the few service providers with a comprehensive and global hosted VoIP and UC strategy. Its fully managed IP MPLS network forms the pivot of its hosted VoIP and UC services for mid-sized and large enterprises. An accelerated go-to-market strategy for leading-edge products such as SIP trunking, aggressive bundling, multiple vendor partnerships, and a long track record have helped Verizon consolidate its market position.”

Practice Director Dan Shey adds, “Second-ranked NGT, the single largest provider in terms of installed base, is being acquired by Comcast. Smoothstone has consistently innovated in service delivery, commanding steadfast customer loyalty among large enterprises.”

For this matrix, under "innovation," ABI Research examined the scope of the hosted VoIP and UC offerings; two types of service innovation (offering, partner/VAR enablement); service scalability and flexibility; application and vertical market leadership, alignment, and innovation; service provider strategy, vision, and approach; industry leadership, influence factor, and knowledge transfer; and new application enablement.

Under "implementation," ABI Research considered breadth and strength of vertical markets served/targeted and of services in the markets served/targeted; service integration and support capabilities; installed base; geographical presence and penetration; total solutions and partner collaboration; partner ecosystem; and overall perceived market leadership, strength, and experience.

To view a chart with rankings of the “top ten” firms in this Provider Matrix, please visit “North American Hosted VoIP and Unified Communications Service Providers Matrix”. Registration on the ABI Research website (free) is required. Access to the rankings and profiles of all companies surveyed is available to clients of ABI Research.

This Provider Matrix forms part of ABI Research’s Enterprise Communications Research Service. For a list of all ABI Research Vendor Matrices, please visit Vendor Matrices.