NHS to cut call costs with VoiP rollout

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The National Health Service's broadband network N3 is set to allow phone calls using Voice over IP (VoIP).

The BT broadband network, which is part of the NHS' national programme for IT (NpfIT), is one of the largest virtual private networks in Europe, with 20,000 connections.

Previously used just for data, the N3 is now able to handle voice calls as well, following an NHS-funded upgrade.

"This opens up a raft of cost saving opportunities, technology innovations, efficiency enhancers and a roadmap for the future for organisations and the way they communicate," said Patrick O'Connell, managing director of BT Health, in a statement.

The voice-enabled network means that larger NHS bodies, after signing up and paying a rental charge, can access free calls to other users of the service. And, because of a partnership with mobile operator O2, the NHS will get cheaper rates for fixed to mobile calls - no small deal as up to 70 per cent of NHS' spending on calls is from landlines calling mobiles.

The VoiP network will also be offered to small- and medium-sized users, such as GP surgeries. BT will host the telephony with IP phones from Cisco.

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