Network cuts firm's phone bill by a third

West Midlands-based Waldrons solicitors has installed a new telecoms network which it claims will bring about major cost savings.

The firm, with offices in Lye, Brierley Hill and Dudley, has installed a Centrex system which uses fibre optics to network the offices. It is believed to be the first firm in the West Midlands to use this system.

Centrex will allow clients to contact all three offices by

dialling one number and will also divert calls.

Partner Peter Waldron said: "We wanted to make it much more convenient for our clients to contact any one of us, wherever we are within the firm.

"It is also a major cost saving. We no longer have to pay for internal calls - a 30 per cent saving already."

The contract to install the system was awarded to Dudley-based Telewest Communications. Its managing director Stephen Heappey said: "The Centrex system is widely used in the US. It can be tailored to suit the needs of a company, and can grow with the firm."