The Voice Communications System for PHQ 3 Building mainly comprises of an Internet Protocol (IP) enabled telephone switching sub-system, a voice mail sub-system, an interactive voice response sub-system and a network management sub-system. The IP enabled telephone switch is a new generation computer controlled switching equipment. It will be the core control element for voice communication, facsimile transmission, data transmission and non-emergency call centre services of the new Phase 3 Building.

An open tender exercise was conducted for the PHQ 3 Building Voice Communications System in October 2002. A total of nine tender returns were received and the contract was awarded last month. After completion of the project, there will be about about 2,000 telephone extensions, 120 facsimile lines, 50 data lines and 800 voice mailboxes for the daily operations of the new building. In addition, the system will deliver seven interactive voice response applications and two non-emergency call centre services to the community.

The Phase 3 Building is the first Force office building employing IP telephony technology in voice communication. When integrating with the Structured Cabling System of the Phase 3 Building, it will become an efficient and flexible communications platform equipped with very sophisticated, state-of-the-art technology able to meet the dynamic and ever-changing mission-critical requirements of the Force.

Assistant Commissioner (Information Systems) Mr Tsang Wai-hung, and PCCW Commerical Business President Mr Gary Chow, at the contract-signing ceremony