VoIP Inc.’s Volo Tackles Network Expansion

Volo Communications Inc., the CLEC subsidiary of VoIP Inc., said on Monday it has wrapped up the first phase of its facilities-based network expansion, passing through Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and New York.

The carrier’s footprint already covers much of the country, due to deals with other providers, but VoIP Inc. is building its own infrastructure so it does not have to rely on rivals’ networks.

VoIP Inc. executives said the expansion means the company will be able to serve more than 50 million households and business subscriber lines. They also said they expect their company to be one of the largest competitive carriers in the United States.

“[W]e are now building what will be one of the top five largest CLEC networks in the country, behind leading providers such as Level 3 Communications and XO Holdings,” said Shawn Lewis, VoIP Inc.’s CTO, in a statement.

The company now is tackling its second build-out phase, which should be completed in February 2007. VoIP Inc. said it is expanding its facilities-based network in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas and Washington. That will bring to 21 the number of states within VoIP Inc.’s own network.

VoIP Inc.’s stocks rose 2.44 percent during early afternoon trading.

VoIP Inc. www.voipinc.com