Web hosting provider Host Gator announced on Wednesday the launch of VOIPo, a voice over Internet protocol service.

VOIPo will offer the VoIP telephone service in 6,000 markets throughout the United States. The service will be available directly to customers, giving them the ability to place and receive phone calls with their broadband Internet connections at a much lower cost than standard phone lines. Through its proprietary platform, Host Gator will also offer the service to its Web hosting partners on a reseller basis.

“Offering an emerging technology such as VoIP is a great way for our Web hosting reseller partners to expand their service portfolio and generate more revenues,” says Brent Oxley, president and founder of Host Gator. “We plan to duplicate Host Gator’s success in reseller hosting with VOIPo’s reseller VoIP offerings.”

The company is currently conducting private beta testing and will soon invite pre-launch group members and select Host Gator customers to try out the service. VOIPo will operate as an independent subsidiary of Host Gator and is expected to launch in late September.