O-TEL TELECOM today announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with George based eTime, a broadband internet and digital telephony service provider, to provide voice and hosted PBX services to home users and enterprises.

After a few years reselling VoIP using the VOX Telecom Network, eTime decided to move up a higher level and begin to take control of their large base of VoIP clients.

“We regard O-Tel as an industry leader with years of experience and the ability to do more than the average VOIP service provider.” said Jan Oosthuizen, CEO of eTime. “Our numbers were successfully ported to O-Tel despite a few unforeseen challenges that was dealt with in a very efficient and professional manner.”

eTime currently has wireless coverage and services from Plettenberg Bay, Uniondale, Oudtshoorn, and down the coast to Vleesbay and Cape Town. Expansion in Langkloof and the farming communities around Plettenberg Bay is currently under way. Their one stop IT solution and full Helpdesk and after hours support is rated second to none.

“O-Tel is excited to have eTime on board. We have recently been welcoming many resellers from other VoIP providers as well as former PABX and LCR (Premi-Cell) resellers, attracted by O-Tel’s ability to provide a high quality and stable VoIP service, a full turnkey solution to begin deploying services immediately without capital investments, no commitments, and providing full billing control.” Comments Mohammad Patel, CEO of O-Tel Telecom.

It is widely reported the PABX industry is undergoing difficulties as the technology seems to be reaching the end of the road.

Telephone 2.0 is the newest trend amongst the enterprise fraternity who want an increase in productivity and reduction in telecommunication costs by using Hosted PBX and voice over broadband.

“O-Tel’s VoIP infrastructure and business model has been designed and is ready to accommodate the thousands of stranded LCR and PABX specialists due to the now defunct industry. As a result many of the country’s VoIP providers remain no longer competitive after their profits have been slashed. The domino effect has caused high network failures, low commission income for the resellers, and major financial losses to the service providers. Further losses are expected once the new interconnect rate kicks in on the 1st of March 2011. O-Tel is safeguarded from these negative effects due to visionary strategies implemented since 2008 .” adds Patel.

This partnership is the first of its kind in the area, where an influx of enterprises are expected to be knocking on eTime’s door. The incumbents focus and service has recently been less than satisfactory. With Number Porting now a reality, clients can now move their whole telecommunication service over to eTime, ensured of prompt and professional service.

“My clients are very impressed with the call quality. O-Tel’s backhaul infrastructure makes a big difference.

VOIP was identified as a strong growth point in our area and with the O-Tel product in our service offering we are ready to take on the big players.” concludes Oosthuizen