AIB is deploying the largest installation of internet protocol (IP) telephony in Ireland to date with 5,000 Cisco voice-over IP (VoIP) phones being installed at its headquarters.

The contract for the One Network IP Telephony Project has been awarded to Eircom and its systems integration wing Lan Communications, which is a Cisco Advanced Technology Partner.

The network is being installed in AIB's Bankcentre 1 and the new Bankcentre 2 campus, which will see the number of seats at the bank's headquarters increase from 2,000 to 4,500.

Paul Williams, IT executive at AIB, said that with the expansion and the current telephone system reaching the end of its life, it was felt an investment in VoIP would be more suited to future needs.

He said a VoIP system, which digitises voice traffic and sends it over a network using the same protocol as used on the internet, would better facilitate the amalgamation of a number of different sites into AIB Bankcentre.

The bank, he added, had no concerns over the technology or its robustness. "VoIP is well tried and tested in the corporate environment worldwide," Mr Williams said.

AIB had engaged in stringent testing before going live and had a dedicated network infrastructure, so there was no quality of service issues with telephony.

Ultimately, the installation will expand to AIB's call centre.