Bermuda Telephone Company (BTC) has chosen multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer Nortel to provide voice, data and multimedia services to its users, according to a report by online publication IP Communications.

Nortel will implement its carrier voice over Internet protocol technology (VoIP), enabling BTC's subscribers to use their Bermuda number outside the Island.

BTC will also use Nortel's Communication Server 2000, an IP multimedia softswitch, to provide fixed mobile convergence capabilities, such as the ability to have calls re-routed from users' wireless service to their voicemail or home phone.

Francis Massenden, CEO of BTC, said: "This new voice solution will allow our customers to coordinate communications among mobile and fixed devices. Having the same set of services on any device makes it easy for our customers to be more productive and collaborate more effectively through personalised multimedia communications."

Ray Bulengo, vice-president of carrier sales for the Caribbean Region and Bermuda, at Nortel, said BTC chose Nortel as their technology partner because of Nortel's expertise and proven track record in VoIP network technology.

"Nortel's technology will allow BTC to take full advantage of the benefits of IP-based communications such as more cost-effective and efficient communications for their subscribers," he said. "With these new services, BTC can now offer fixed mobile convergence to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, reducing the high costs of long distance telephone calls for its customers."

Nortel also has been selected by BTC to provide advanced wireless network services, including web browsing, streaming video and multimedia messaging services throughout the country.

As part of the expansion plan, Nortel will upgrade BTC's existing time division multiple access network to Global System for Mobile communications to increase coverage and provide better in-building reception, said Nortel. The expansion will offer an increased speed up to three times over its current network speed.

The network expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.