BT launches hosted IP telephony service

BT has launched a hosted IP telephony service based on Nortel’s Communication Server 2000 IP telephony switch.

The new service, called BT Hosted Voice, is designed for both government and non-government customers, and has secured approval from the Communications Electronics Security Group (CESG), to carry voice traffic classified as ‘restricted’.

BT Hosted Voice is the first service of its kind to be approved by the CESG, and its opens up the benefits of IP telephony to organisations where security is paramount. The CESG is the information assurance division of GCHQ.

The service uses a unified communications platform developed by Nortel in collaboration with Microsoft. It includes such features as Web conferencing, instant messaging and presence technology.

The hosted nature of the service eliminates the need for customers to fund up-front investments in new technology.

BT Hosted Voice already has one customer and will be opened up to others in January 2008.