A non-profit agency devoted to higher learning has launched an initiative to provide free phone calls between universities worldwide. The Robertson Education Empowerment Foundation's (REEF's) Global University Phone System (GUPS) will distribute secure PCs running Linux and Asterisk, in order to enable free VoIP (voice-over-IP) calls between and to university numbers. The GUPS program is currently beta-testing.

According to REEF, the GUPS initiative will provide universities with VoIP hardware and software than can be used to connect their existing phone network to other academic institutions around the globe. Inter-university calls will then travel over the internet, bypassing traditional telecommunication charges. Because the system is based on SIP (session initiation protocol), free calls to university numbers can also be placed from SIP softphones or VoIP phones.

Free calls can be made within and to the GUPS network
GUPS participants will be supplied free of charge with a secure Linux-based PC running Asterisk software, a multi-protocol open source PBX that recently gained a commercial support provider. Technical support and monitoring will be provided by SIPphone, a commercial company involved in the effort.

In order to take part in the GUPS program, universities must have their own PBX system and a spare T1 digital PRI card to interface with their current PBX system. They must also be able to route an entire prefix within their area code.

The GUPS Initiative is undergoing beta testing, with UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, University of Oklahoma, University of Philippines, and Brigham Young University currently routing calls successfully. All universities are invited to fill out an application form, here.

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