BT is using an online virtual world to develop services that could open up a whole new way of doing business.
Ex graduate Matt Brotherton is testing applications that enable users of virtual world Second Life to communicate with the outside world from within their online game. 
BT has its own “private island” within Second Life where avatars – three-dimensional online selves – can make calls via a red payphone, send text messages or run a teleconference.
Matt said: “BT has a long established history of virtual worlds but it’s only now we are able to make these viable, thanks to better graphics rendering, PC specifications and improved broadband speeds.
“Through the virtual red payphone, users can make calls, send text messages, and even order a pizza to be delivered to their real world address.”