Networking hardware vendor, NETGEAR, has partnered with Australian broadband telephone provider engin (ASX:ENG) in a bid to get a bigger slice of VoIP solutions for the consumer market.

Under the new alliance, NETGEAR’s latest residential VoIP product, a wired two-port telephone router, will be bundled with engin’s communications service. The partnership is aimed at strengthening NETGEAR’s presence in the VoIP space and to provide its customers with increased range of VoIP service alternatives.

“engin has been a true pioneer in the Australian VoIP space, investing heavily in building local understanding and support of this technology,” said Ryan Parker, director of partnerships and services, NETGEAR. “ It has broad national scope and is particularly strong in the retail channel, enhancing our capabilities to reach customers and further complementing NETGEAR’s initiatives in this market.”

Using the NETGEAR/engin product, broadband user will be able to make and receive VoIP calls using their existing telephone service, benefiting from lower call costs and service fees. Users will be able to call anywhere in Australia for a flat rate of 10 cents, with calls to international destinations charged at 3.5 cents per minute.

The bundled offering will be sold through Harvey Norman stores across Australia and by 1,000-plus engin retail outlets.

“NETGEAR’s hardware works well with engin’s product range. There is a strong fit between our two companies, as engin specialises in VoIP and NETGEAR in wired and wireless networking solutions that support high-quality VoIP,” said Ilkka Tales, CEO, engin.

“We are proud to be partnering with NETGEAR as its strong brand name commands high levels of customer awareness in the consumer market, potentially influencing the purchasing decision of customers interested in investing in our VoIP technology.”