BT hails internet calls rise

AROUND one million BT customers are making calls over the internet, the company's boss revealed today.

In an interview to mark five years in the job, BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen said the group had seen an "explosion" in Voice over Internet Protocol usage - and had hit its one million target six months ahead of schedule.

Mr Verwaayen said: "Six months ago we came to the market and said we expect a million active customers by the summer of 2007. We are very proud to announce now that by the end of 2006 we reached the one million already. We are really seeing a market that is taken by storm."

Mr Verwaayen dismissed fears that growing internet calling traffic would hurt BT's revenue, noting that only 15 to 20 per cent of its sales depended on conventional voice calls.

He also noted that the firm was always looking for new acquisitions to grow its global services division.

The former state telephone provider offers free VoIP calls within the UK during evenings and weekends as part of its deals alongside broadband and phone line rental.