Global Crossing signs extension deal with UK government agency

Indicating the faith held by the UK government in voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services, Global Crossing has won an extension to its contract providing IP services for an agency of the Office of Government Commerce.

In a deal worth £105 million, the IP solutions provider signed an extension until 2011 - committing to add new hosted IP telephony services and expand the mobile working facilities for public sector employees.

"Signing the extension is extremely important to Global Crossing," said Anthony Christie, the company's managing director for UK and Europe.

"Many of the e-government initiatives underway in the UK have been a key driver in further development of our suite of advanced converged IP applications. These capabilities use new technology to drive efficiency savings, as well as enable and support secure, mobile and flexible working."

The Managed Telecommunication Service contract was first signed in 1996 but has grown from year to year as more government departments have also taken the leap over to web-based telecoms and data solutions.