Could Irish schools install VoIP services following broadband roll out?

Irish schools could look to install VoIP services following the roll-out of superfast broadband.

The Irish government has developed a scheme which has already deployed 100Mbps broadband in 78 of the country's schools, with plans to extend this to a further 300 institutions by 2012.

As part of the programme, more than 1,500 wireless digital projectors and 2,000 laptops were also issued to schools.

This technological advancement could lead to Irish schools adopting IP telephony solutions as faster download speeds can improve the quality of VoIP calls.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan claimed children need to be proficient with technology from an early age to ensure they succeed in the future.

He said: "With this scheme, we are creating the digital citizens - the writers, the inventors and the businesspeople - of the future.

"I believe the provision of 100Mbps broadband will transform education in Ireland and place our children at the forefront of the digital revolution."