Brightpoint moves into VoIP with Skype deal

Brightpoint moved further into the convergence space with the signing of pier-to-pier telephony vendor Skype.

The communications specialist distributor will now carry the vendor’s starter kits, headsets, dual capable phones (PSTN and VoIP) which will be bundled with Skype airtime.

The deal is part of a global relationship with the vendor aimed at making the most of the rapidly growing VoIP market.

According to product marketing manager, Ettore Alterisio, the IT channel and mass retail partners would be the targets of Brightpoint’s new VoIP offering.

“The IT channel is an obvious target given this channel is tech savvy enough to understand and sell the VoIP technology,” he said. “Mass retail is a growing and emerging channel for VoIP-based products given the rapidly growing awareness and uptake of the consumer channel.”

The Skype deal was also important for its ability to increase cross-sales of products such as GPS, converged devices and flash memory, Alterisio said.

He would not comment on Brightpoint’s specific plans for growth in the convergence space, but said the company had identified a number of other VoIP-based vendors that would be targeted as part of its expansion strategy.