He would not disclose his costs for the project but said the terms of the agreement include his willingness to demonstrate the technology to potential NEC customers. He said the project is "very large ... but we expect to lower costs."

Areas of savings include replacing long-distance toll-call charges with free VOIP calls. Teachers will also travel abroad using laptops equipped with soft phones for VOIP. Also, a new laser data connection that runs between the new building complex and an older building 1,000 feet away will save the school up to US$600 monthly over a fiber-optic connection, he said.

The school compared what NEC offered with Nortel Networks Corp. technology and chose NEC primarily because of the relationship that was established, Beevers said.

"It's not always about choosing the biggest vendor, but also how you are treated and how the vendor responds, and if you get things done that you want done," he said. "I'm going to be able to do a lot more with NEC than I would have with Nortel."

One of the biggest advantages of VOIP calling is that Beevers can avoid arranging new phone service with Bell Canada, he added. He said he has continually had billing problems with the company.