Verizon Business ranks first in overall strategy for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), according to a recently released Forrester Research study.

The study, "Forrester Wave(TM): US Enterprise-Class VoIP Services, Q1 2007," found that "Verizon Business is best in class on overall voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) strategy, leading others on technology strategy, planned performance and customer service enhancements, and price."

The findings are particularly significant since businesses are increasingly seeking help transitioning from traditional telecommunications services to IP communications.

"This recognition reinforces our strong performance in this emerging growth area of the telecommunications market," said Tom Roche, vice president of marketing for network voice and data services with Verizon Business. "Verizon Business’ expansive global IP network and comprehensive suite of VoIP services enable our customers to make the move to VoIP and leverage IP communications to achieve their specific business goals at their own path and pace."

According to the Forrester Wave(TM) report, Verizon Business "offers the broadest portfolio of VoIP services; this provider is the only one among its peers to offer session initiation protocol (SIP) trunking, hosted VoIP services, managed IP private branch exchange (PBX) services, IP conferencing, IP toll free, and hosted IP contact center services today. Verizon Business leads its peers on VoIP reliability, scalability, and sales capabilities."