HMRC switches to VoIP

HM Revenue and Customs is reportedly planning to move its telephone system to voice over internet protocol (VoIP) as part of a £47 million contract.

The department, which is responsible for collecting and administering tax and duties, has signed a contract with Global Crossing for VoIP systems for 85,000 members of its staff, Kable reports.

According to the site, the deal will last until December 2011 and will cover all HMRC staff except those working in contact centres and those based in offices run by other government departments.

An HMRC spokesman told the site that the department intended to take "full advantage" of the business benefits offer by VoIP and other technologies.

"Implementing VoIP will contribute to our business transformation strategy by improving the flexibility of our telephone service, whilst at the same time reducing current and future running costs," he said.

The spokesman added that HMRC plans to eventually to merge its VoIP services into a single network.

Among the taxes HMRC is responsible for administering are corporation tax, the climate change levy and alcohol and tobacco duties.