Free calls for Portsmouth students after VoIP installation

Students at the University of Portsmouth will likely be expected to make more reassuring calls back home to their parents as the cost has been reduced dramatically by the installation of a VoIP telephony system in halls of residence.

Handsets have been placed in each room and students can also download an application to their computer which features audio and video conferencing using VoIP.

In addition, the 'triple-play' system from Inuk Networks includes broadband access and 25 free television channels, including broadcasts in Chinese, Arabic, Greek, French and German to appeal to international students.

"We believe that making it easier for students to stay in touch with their families and friends back home will help them to settle in," Andrew Minter, the university's IT director, said in a statement.

"Providing students with free television channels is an added bonus which we hope they will enjoy."

The service, which offers reduced calls to landlines and free calls over VoIP, will be launched on the start of the new academic year on September 27th.