TOHO cinemas get VoIP solution

More than 30 TOHO cinemas in Japan have installed a VoIP solution using Asterisk hardware.

TOHO wanted extensions for VoIP phones in each cinema's screening room integrated with the existing PBX in the theatre, while networking all the theatres together.

This VoIP solution was achieved with Asterisk hardware, specifically an Asterisk IP telephone server.

TOHO now has a single voice and data network, with internet access and mail on its VPN service.

The network used switches and gateways by Quintum.

"TOHO Cinemas' implementation is an excellent example of how companies are deploying VoIP in their networks to add new capabilities while leveraging the investment in their existing voice infrastructure," said Chuck Rutledge, vice president of marketing for Quintum.

"TOHO was able to gain key benefits with added capabilities and lower costs at a fraction of the price of 'fork-lifting' out their existing PBXs for a complete IP telephony system replacement."

An independent film studio, TOHO has been behind some of the most well-known films in cinema history, from Godzilla to Seven Samurai.

The company has also produced television programmes and video games.