Aston University has become the first UK higher education institution to roll-out a fully converged voice, video and data network.

The £4m installation uses Cisco's IP communications technology to deliver audio and video to academics and students.

The network incorporates 6,000 plug-in-points and can support well over 2,000 voice over IP (VoIP) handsets.

'This technology allows us to take a leap into the future - and become a lead institution in elearning,' said Fahri Zihni, ICT director at Aston University.

The converged system replaces Aston's previous telecommunications network that had been in place for 25 years.

'We're in an advantageous position to have been able to replace all three of our communications systems at the same time. We've provided a greenfield site,' said Mike Roberts, head of the university's corporate information systems.

The system was brought into campus-wide use two weeks ago. Aston will use the network to help push-out elearning content to students across the institution.

The IP system will replace the university's ageing analogue TV network that can no longer cope with substantial increases in demand.

Services specialist Damovo managed the deployment of the system.

Zihni says the university's director of finance, Guppy Dhariwal, had been vital.

'The finance team allowed us to drive the project on,' he said.

Aston has about 1,100 academics, administrators and executives, and some 7,000 students.

The converged network will include Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches, Cisco 3550 Series switches with inline power, unified messaging and 2,000 IP phones.