AT&T last week announced a suite of IP services that will include voice, conferencing, messaging and video.

The first of its Dynamic Network Applications is AT&T Voice DNA, a network-based, hosted IP PBX service similar to traditional Centrex offerings that the local exchange carriers have offered for years.

AT&T, which introduced the offerings at Interop in Las Vegas, hinted about its plans last month. Voice DNA will let users upgrade to an IP PBX environment without having to deploy or manage voice switches on-site. The service offers an automated attendant, locate-me feature, the ability to have multiple phones ring for one user, on-demand audioconferencing and integration with Microsoft Outlook.

One of the key options is an Any Distance calling plan, which provides users with VoIP end-to-end. This is the first time AT&T is offering business users local VoIP support, says Joe Aibinder, director of VoIP services.

AT&T is using gateways it already had deployed through 100 markets across the U.S. to support its consumer VoIP service, AT&T CallVantage, to also support local VoIP traffic for business users.

Using VoIP end-to-end can save some customers up to 20% compared with legacy local and long-distance voice services, Aibinder says.

The Any Distance calling plan includes unlimited, on-net, local and long-distance calling. This plan is only for users within the 100 markets where the carrier has local facilities.

Regional businesses also can select AT&T's local calling plan option or its long-distance-only plan, which includes unlimited on-net, and competitive long-distance and international rates.

The Voice DNA service supports IP phones from Cisco, Polycom and others, as well as softphones from a handful of vendors, the carrier says.

Voice DNA starts at $10 to $20 per month, per line.