Foreign Affairs dept to revamp voice

The federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has flagged plans to refresh its international telephony network, in a move that will affect the systems of other agencies.

DFAT went to market last week for a new system, including back-office hardware and desktop handsets, saying it wanted a solution that took advantage of new and emerging technologies and could significantly improve DFAT's workflows and customer interface.

The department declined to comment on the project, however, according to tender documents, some of its aims for the new system include better availability, servicability and reliability.

The system should be based on open standards rather than proprietary solutions, introduce a higher level of desktop integration of voice and data and rationalise and minimise international and national telephone costs.

DFAT has around around 3000 domestic extensions located around the nation, primarily using Ericsson PABX hardware, but also Telstra's Spectrum virtual PABX service hosted at the telco's premises. The Ericsson hardware is considered to have reached end of life status.

Internationally, DFAT operates facilities in a large number of countries such as as High Commissions and Embassies, primarily using Mitel PABX hardware and with a total of around 5500 extensions. The department uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology on international ATM links to cut down international phone costs.

Also covered by the upgrade is the Australian National Audit Office's (ANAO) telephony infrastructure, as well as the Government Advanced Voice Infrastructure (GAVIN), a voice gateway located in Canberra and interconnecting with public bodies such as ANAO, the Department of Defence, Treasury, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and so on.

DFAT will conduct an industry briefing on its needs next week, and select a vendor for the new voice network in late January. The effort will be headed up by DFAT voice system project manager Andrew Fry.