UK invests in VOIP network

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will share a voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) service network in a bid to cut costs, reports Telappliant.

Telecommunications firm Cable and Wireless Worldwide has signed a £10.3 million contract with the DFID, having already agreed an £82 million deal with the foreign office earlier this year.

Both deals will last five-and-a-half years and will see Cable and Wireless providing a dedicated VOIP solutions network for each government department to access.

Windstream has expanded the reach of its business unified communications service suite to almost 100 cities in the US, states Fierce Telecom.

By allowing businesses to combine their respective voice, data and Internet services on one common connection, Windstream claims it can save business customers money on its total communications spend.

The expansion of the VOIP service is a reflection of Windstream's overall expansion of its IP-based capabilities for the business market - a process it has grown both organically and through key acquisitions of NuVox and Norlight Telecom.

Internet service provider Exetel is considering a partnership to provide VOIP services to small businesses as part of its business and operational plans review for next year, says ARNnet.

As well as a possible change of IP supplier, which is currently Optus, the ISP is contemplating joining forces with an unnamed partner to offer VOIP services to small businesses.

Exetel recently started a Sri Lankan operation and is looking to expand its footprint to New Zealand, the US and Europe.