The Robert Gordon
University's (RGU) state-of-the-art sports centre in Garthdee
will be the venue for a world first today, as free global
internet calls are made from its high-tech
iKiosk.
The iKiosk situated in RGU: SPORT is one
of a network of touch-screen information points around
Aberdeen developed by the City Council offering free email,
videomail, internet access and a wealth of information on
council and local services.
Software embedded in the
iKiosks has been developed to allow students, citizens and
visitors to Aberdeen to make free internet calls from any of
the iKiosks to others with compatible Voice Over Internet
Protocol (VOIP) software.
RGU: SPORT will trial the
facility, and the results will then be evaluated by all other
iKiosk partners, including: NHS Grampian, VisitScotland,
Grampian Police and Traveline Scotland.
RGU's Director
of Sport, Filippo Antoniazzi expressed his delight at RGU:
SPORT's involvement in the pioneering project: "RGU has long
held a reputation as a dynamic and progressive university
which consistently responds to the demands of the modern-day
world, whether in terms of the highly regarded,
industry-focused courses we offer, or our ambitious estates
plan, which included the £11 million sports
centre.
"The iKiosk at RGU: SPORT is yet another facet
of our forward-looking mindset. It has undoubtedly enhanced
the customer-orientated service we provide at RGU: SPORT, and
the new Internet Call facility is another demonstration of
that commitment to customer service."
At the launch,
internet calls will be made both within the UK and across the
globe. Aberdeen City Councillor for Garthdee, Mr Scott Cassie
will place an internet call for transport information through
the RGU: SPORT iKiosk to the Traveline Scotland call centre in
Airdrie.
Councillor Cassie commented, "The iKiosks
along with the newly opened access point at Mastrick Housing
Office, the telephone contact centre at Kittybrewster and the
Council's website are all part of the Access Aberdeen
Programme developed by Aberdeen City Council to provide a
range of 'access' options to citizens, workers and visitors
for information about Council and partner
services.
"The new internet call facility on the
iKiosks demonstrates the council's commitment to reducing
digital division between those who have access to modern
technology and those who do not. During August, 81,000
'touches' were made on the iKiosks. This puts us on track for
a million touches in a twelve month period demonstrating
"Access Aberdeen" Programme is dynamic, flexible, convenient
and continues to deliver choice."
Charles Breslin,
Managing Director of beCogent call centre operators for
Traveline Scotland, added: "We are delighted to be working
with Aberdeen City Council, RGU and Traveline on this project
as it further enhances the service delivery for Traveline`s
customers in a truly innovative way."
At the launch
Phil Mills-Bishop, e-Government Projects Manager, Aberdeen
City Council, will call Paul Traynor, a student studying in
China, demonstrating the facility's usefulness on a global
scale to both residents and visitors.
Phil Mills Bishop
explains the technology behind this latest innovation:
"Internet or web calls use the internet like a telephone. The
VOIP technology relies on software like Skype being installed
either on a single PC or a network and a Skype address, much
like an email address, being allocated. An iKiosk customer can
then initiate a call while viewing content for further
information, or request an emergency service. It could also be
used by foreign students, workers or visitors to the city to
phone home.
"In the near future it will be commonplace
to have a single network that allows both content information
and voice to pass over it producing significant cost savings
to the network owners, operators and ultimately
customers".
[
Best VoIP Pricing UK]
[
Best VoIP Pricing US]
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