DENVER - Clear Reach Networks has reached an agreement with GatheringPoint Carrier Services to acquire its 21 customers currently served on Level 3 Communications Inc.'s hosted-PBX service.

Broomfield-based Level 3 said in late January that it would discontinue its (3)Tone service, which provided voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) on a shared platform.

Level 3's move affected about 100 phone companies and resellers - including Denver-based GatheringPoint - that provide VoIP services.

Clear Reach Networks, an Internet service provider also based in Denver, will obtain the customers, which represented about 90 percent of GatheringPoint's client base.

"Our previous partnership with GatheringPoint paved the way for these customers to be moved to our system, which should provide for an easy transition," said Kevin Mercado, chief executive officer of Clear Reach Networks.

"Many companies will be scrambling due to Level 3's decision," said Clear Reach chief technology officer Justin Nelson. "But, we consider ourselves fortunate to have established relationships with a few other VoIP providers prior to this decision by Level 3."

Clear Reach will utilize its wholesale relationship with Cleveland based Broadvox Limited for the majority of the acquired VoIP customers.