Japan: Sapporo Breweries provided with IP telephony system by Oki Electric

Sapporo Breweries Ltd. will deploy an IP telephony system based on Oki's IP telephony server, IP CONVERGENCE Server SS9100, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. announced on January 4. The installation started from October, and Sapporo Breweries plan to complete a large-scale IP Centrex system with 43 locations nationwide by 2007.

Private IP Centrex is a form of IP telephony that integrates voice communication onto IP networks and concentrates PBXs that were conventionally installed at each location into one location for easier management and operation.

Oki said that it will install its 'BV8000 IWG,' the inter-working gateway, in addition to the SS9100, in order to connect to existing VoIP gateways in multiple locations, prior to migrating to IP Centrex. This will allow a smooth shift from the existing system to the new system, reducing the risks associated with renewing equipment at all locations at once, the company explained.

Sapporo Breweries also plans to introduce the FOMA Wireless LAN Dual Network Handsets in addition to fixed IP phones to establish a Mobile Centrex system, through which users can communicate internally and externally with a single phone. The company will also be reducing external communication costs by utilising Japan Telecom's 'Otoku Line,' a service that directly provides connections.

By 2007 Oki expects to complete a large-scale private IP Centrex system for Sapporo Breweries with 1,800 IP telephones and 900 FOMA Wireless LAN Dual Network Handset connected to 43 locations in Japan.

05 January, 2006