London housing group looks to VoIP solutions

Searching for a way to reduce the cost of installing fixed phone lines in high-rise tower blocks; London-based Gallions Housing Association has begun to look at VoIP solutions.

A wireless broadband system has been installed in blocks housing some 150 residents and provides services such as web networking, radio and internet access, as well as CCTV systems.

The association is considering including IP telephony and IPTV services in the package for its residents in the third phase of the installation, if the current systems successfully pass the current trial period.

According to a statement from Gallions, the solution was chosen as "it is cost-efficient, easy to deploy (no wires and no installation), secure and safe to use".

Installation of the system took just half a day as the wireless service has been supplemented by 'broadband over powerline' technology, which allows residents to connect to the internet simply by plugging a router into an electrical socket.