Comcast is launching a cloud-based voice and unified communications solution that it hopes will add some new vigor to slowing VoIP revenues.

Business VoiceEdge will be a fully managed service over Comcast's network, and it reflects the industry's push toward more commercial business as residential growth stutters.

The cloud-based service means businesses takes on-site equipment such as PBX and key systems out of the mix, meaning lower capex for businesses. It also promises predictable monthly costs, high service quality and customer experience and a common user experience that includes high definition voice service and unified communications features.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable service providers and, not surprisingly, the third largest provider of voice services, says Business VoiceEdge is available in 14 states from Maine through Virginia and the District of Columbia, as well as Chicago. It said nationwide rollout across Comcast's entire service is targeted by the end of 2012.

Business VoiceEdge includes unlimited nationwide calling, free Polycom phones, HD audio and advanced UC features that also include an array of mobility features. Users can download a client that enables click-to-dial and service management from within Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.

"As with other cloud-based applications and services, organizations of all sizes are investigating cloud-based voice solutions as a means to help reduce costs and simplify operations while improving worker productivity. This combination would seem to be an obvious choice, but the service availability and operator reliability questions have been challenging," said Infonetics Research Directing Analyst of VoIP and IMS, Diane Myers. Myers said Comcast's "nationwide network and strong data products" make the play compelling.