In response to growing competition from cable and phone providers offering all-in-one service to consumers bundling television, Internet and voice calling, DirecTV is testing out a pilot voice over IP program. The initiative will fall under the DirecPath brand, a joint venture formed in May with Hicks Holdings.

The company has partnered with Vistula Communications Services for the pilot, and plans to test out a number of other VoIP offerings as well. The test is expected to run for six months, at which point service will be offered to a large portion of DirectPath customers, DirecTV said. The company says the service will be targeted at multiple dwelling units and gated community owners rather than individual houses.