TORONTO--(Marketwire - Mar 22, 2013) - Primus Business Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of [ PTGi (Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated ]) (NYSE: [ PTGI ]) today announced the launch of Primus Softphone for Apple iPhone and Google Android. Given the world's mobile workforce will reach 1.3 billion by 2015, representing 37.2 percent of the total population of employed (IDC), this standards-based softphone will enable enterprises to securely extend VoIP calling and PBX features to Android and iPhone users, including employee-owned mobile phones and tablets.

Today's announcement is the next step in unified communications solutions from Primus that expands channel and device flexibility, enables more efficient collaboration and reduces the cost of accommodating a growing mobile workforce with the right technologies. 

Primus Softphone enables Hosted PBX (HPBX) customers to recreate the "in-office" experience and allows users to make and receive high-quality voice calls from their computers or mobile devices via a Wi-Fi or 3G/4G mobile data connection, thereby improving productivity and minimizing costs by offloading calls to Wi-Fi in places such as offices, airports and hotels.

Travelers using mobile devices without U.S. roaming rate plans can typically expect to pay up to $1.45/minute (plus taxes) on roaming charges -- that's over $43 for a 30 minute call. With a Primus Softphone, customers will see these immediate savings.

Primus Softphone seamlessly integrates with Hosted PBX, giving users complete control to modify HPBX features like Call Forwarding from their mobile softphones. Users can access time saving features such as four-digit extension calling, company voicemail, call transfers and audio conferencing, as well as move calls between their desktop and mobile softphones via a call continuity feature.

"By launching Primus Softphone, we are furthering our promise of delivering rich, unified communications anytime, on any device and from any place," said Nilpa Srivastava, VP, Primus Business Services. "Primus Softphone enables our Hosted PBX customers to realize significant cost savings, and enhanced productivity by extending all of the benefits that customers enjoy on their desktops to any mobile device."

The Primus Softphone leverages CounterPath's industry-standard Bria softphone technology and features a clean and intuitive interface with quick access to in-call management features such as add call, mute, hold and speakerphone. A separate navigation pane provides easy, one-touch access to options including voicemail, call history and contacts. The app also supports multiple VoIP accounts and SIP protocols, allowing users to access their personal or business accounts while simultaneously utilizing other applications. The Primus Softphone offers the administrator full control over the end users' abilities to use the application, which allows enterprises to exert some level of control in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environment.

"The world of telecommunications is rapidly changing. Whether it's addressing the unique challenges associated with BYOD to work, accommodating the needs of a remote workforce or simply saving money, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to improve the overall efficiency of their communication needs," stated Todd Carothers, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Products at CounterPath. "With this partnership, CounterPath is providing Primus with technology solutions that will help their customers to always be connected while saving money."

Primus Softphone is available to HPBX customers for a one-time fee of $19.99 CDN from iTunes and Google Play app stores or by visiting Primus' HPBX portal for the $25 desktop version at [ https://voice.primus.ca ].

About Primus Business Services

[ Primus Business Services ] is a leading national full service Voice and Data Solutions Provider, keeping our clients' mission critical applications and communication infrastructure connected for enhanced business productivity. Primus offers a complete line of infrastructure as a service (IaaS) solutions -- IP-Voice Solutions, Hosted Phone Systems, Access and IP connectivity solutions -- to over 45,000 Canadian companies. Primus Business Services is a division of [ Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. ], a subsidiary of PTGi. Visit [ primusbusiness.ca ] for more information.

About PTGi

PTGi (Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated) is a leading provider of advanced communication solutions, including, traditional and IP voice, data, mobile services, broadband Internet, colocation, hosting, and outsourced managed services to business and residential customers in the United States and Canada. PTGi is also one of the leading international wholesale service providers to fixed and mobile network operators worldwide. PTGi owns and operates its own global network of next-generation IP soft switches, media gateways, hosted IP/SIP platforms, broadband infrastructure, fiber capacity, and data centers located in Canada. Founded in 1994, PTGi is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

About CounterPath

CounterPath's (NASDAQ: [ CPAH ]) (TSX: [ CCV ]) standards based VoIP softphones are changing the face of telecommunications. The BYOD VoIP favorite, Bria softphone for mobile devices and desktop, together with the company's easy-to-use client management, provisioning and configuration server enables enterprises, service providers, and OEMs around the globe to offer a seamless and unified communications experience across both fixed and mobile networks. Standards-based, cost-effective and reliable, CounterPath's award-winning solutions power voice, video, messaging, and presence that empower customers such as Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Verizon, BT, Mobilkom Austria, NTT, Rogers, Avaya, BroadSoft, Cisco Systems, GENBAND, Metaswitch Networks, Mitel and NEC. For more information about Counterpath's Bria softphone applications and gateway solutions, visit: [ www.counterpath.com/products ].