Ubiquity Software announced it has been awarded a three-year contract with Inuk Networks to provide the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platform as part of a forthcoming service targeted at the UK-based academic research, education and consumer markets. The service will include broadband Internet access, IPTV and VoIP. Through a single connection, students will be able to receive mainstream and premium television content, as well as low-cost telephony to keep in touch with fellow students, university staff and the world at large at very competitive, low cost rates.

Using Inuk's telephone service, students will be able to make and receive calls from SIP phones in the halls of residence and "soft-phones" on their PCs and laptops. Calls to other subscribers will be free, and calls to and from PSTN wireline and wireless/cellular phones worldwide will be routed via the Global Crossing global VoIP and PSTN network. Inuk customers will also be able to use the service from any PSTN phone by using calling cards. Ubiquity's SIP Application Server (SIP A/S) and Voice Plus application will power the VoIP component of the service.

"Inuk is truly providing groundbreaking services to the education and consumer markets, where there is an appetite for innovative new services such as the triple-play service from Inuk," said John Hart, vice president of product line management at Ubiquity Software. "Ubiquity is pleased to have its SIP Application Server chosen to deliver these new applications and to work with Inuk and Global Crossing on the deployment of this exciting new service."

The Inuk service is being been trialed extensively with approximately 5,000 students at five universities. With the successful conclusion of the pilot, in January 2007, the service will be offered to all 200 universities in the UK, representing a student population of 3.2 million.

"By using Ubiquity Software's SIP Application Server, we can ensure a commercial-grade service for university students and faculty who rely on these communications services as an essential part of university life," said Inuk Networks CEO Marcus Liassides. "The Ubiquity platform will provide us with the flexibility to adapt and enhance our service over time to ensure that we can deliver the most advanced services to our students and residential customers."