XO Communications this week expanded the reach of its business VoIP services to small and medium-sized businesses with larger offices.

The expansion broadens the market for XO's XOptions Flex service by extending availability to businesses with up to 160 employees at each location. Mid-sized companies can now use the IP-enabled features of XOptions Flex with their existing PBX or digital key systems that are connected to an ISDN Primary Rate Interface or digital trunk, XO says.

XOptions Flex is a VoIP services bundle for businesses that combines unlimited local and long-distance calling, dedicated Internet access up to 3Mbps and Web hosting for a flat monthly price. It also supports dynamic bandwidth allocation, an administrative Web portal and access to E911 emergency services.

XOptions Flex includes more than 20 standard voice features for each phone line including call forward, three-way calling, and voice mail. Additional voice lines, hosting and other applications can also be added on an a la carte basis.

XOptions Flex is delivered using Cisco’s IAD2400 Series integrated access devices. The Cisco IAD2400 derives local voice services from either softswitches with SIP and MGCP or from TDM-based Class 5 switches.

Avaya's IP Office PBX system is certified to work with the service.

The extended XOptions Flex service is now available in Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando, San Francisco and Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota. The broadened service will be available nationwide later in the first half of this year.

Pricing for XOptions Flex varies by market and the number of lines a customer has. As an example, for a business in Chicago that signs to a three-year term for the base package of five trunks, the flat monthly price is $655.