Boeing calls on IBM for internal phone service

Boeing Co., Chicago, has outsourced its internal phone communications to IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., IBM announced last week.

In a three-year contract valued at $160 million, IBM will manage Boeing's corporatewide voice communications network, which hosts more than 150,000 users worldwide.

"Boeing has one of the corporate world's largest and most extensive telephone systems. IBM's service will help Boeing reap gains in operational efficiency and cost management," said Todd Kirtley, general manager of the industrial sector for IBM Global Services.

On a variable-price billing model, IBM will offer connectivity as well as applications support, voice mail, audio conferencing and operator services.

Verizon Communications Inc., New York, is IBM's teammate on the contract.