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WiFi Phone Announced
igrp writes "Zyxel just announced its Prestige 2000W VoIP Wi-Fi Cordless Phone. It's designed to work with 802.11b networks, implements QoS and IP-to-IP call functionality and uses 128-bit WEP encryption. It also scans for 'available APs in [the] hand set's environment'. War driving just became a whole lot more interesting."
Wow, it looks almost exactly like the WiSIP that Jeff Pulver, founder of Free World Dialup, has been selling on Pulver Innovations for about a year now.
Here's the Google Cache of the product page.
Are you Corn Fed?
First few times I tried it was allready having SQL errors so here's the text:
Prestige 2000W
VoIP Wi-Fi Phone
The Prestige 2000W VoIP Wi-Fi phone, compatible with IEEE 802.11b wireless standard, is a perfect solution for Voice over IP applications. It allows users to make or receive phone calls as long as they are in the coverage of IEEE 802.11b or 11g wireless Access Points. By using the Prestige 2000W, users no longer have to pay expensive communication fees and can enjoy the convenience of wireless mobility.
The brand new application is developed to support open standard SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), which interoperates with major SIP-based call servers, IP-PBXs and various VoIP client devices. It is not only an ideal alternative for ITSPs (IP Telephony Service Providers) to deploy their VoIP services; it can also be the wireless handset, which is applied in corporate IP-PBX centric VoIP environment.
The Prestige 2000W is very easy to use and configure. It allows users to configure with LCD screen menu or web browser. Meanwhile, with the smart auto-provisioning mechanism, ITSPs can easily deploy and manage the VoIP services. Easy-to-use and convenient, the Prestige 2000W delivers high quality voice functionality in a cost-effective way.
Benefits
Open Standard SIP v2 Support
The call control protocol of the Prestige 2000W is based on SIP v2 (Session Initiation Protocol version 2, RFC 3261) open standard, which is interoperable with major SIP-based call servers, IP-PBXs, and other standard SIP-based client devices.
Mobility with IEEE 802.11b Wireless Standard Compliance
The Prestige 2000W is compliant with the IEEE 802.11b standard and interoperates with any existing 802.11b or 802.11g wireless AP and gateway. It may be used as a cordless handset for residential users or for business users in an office environment. The small form factor of the handset is easy to transport and allows users to place VoIP phone calls in public 802.11-based hot spots.
High Voice Quality with Low Communication Costs
The Prestige 2000W is capable of tagging features that support a service provider?s QoS (Quality of Service) planning, such ToS (Type of Service), and DiffServ. It allows gateways or central side equipment to identify and prioritize voice and data traffic. By supporting G.711 and G.729 voice compression technology, the Prestige 2000W effectively reduces bandwidth consumption caused by voice traffic.
Enhanced Power Saving Design for Extended Standby and Talk Time
With an improved power-saving design, the Prestige 2000W can be used for a relatively long period of standby and talk time. With an extended life for each recharge cycle, the Prestige 2000W is available where and when you need it.
Direct IP-to-IP Call and Ad-hoc Intercom Mode Support(Optional)
By configuring a remote IP address in the built-in phone book, the Prestige 2000W provides a direct IP-to-IP call feature when there is no intermediate SIP proxy server available in the network. The Prestige 2000W can also establish an 802.11 ad-hoc network (computer-to-computer network without Access Point), which allows users to use the handsets as wireless intercoms.
Features
Wireless
- IEEE 802.11b support
- Frequency band: 2.400 ~ 2.497 GHz
- Channel: FCC Ch1~11, ETSI Ch1~13, Japan Ch1~14
- Data Rate: 11 / 5.5 / 2 / 1 Mbps
- Output Power: 14 + 1dBm
- Sensitivity: -82 dBm@11Mbps
- Operating range: Out-door up to 300m, In-door up to 75m
- 64/128 bit WEP encryption
- Site Survey: Scan available APs in hand set?s environment
- Support infrastructure (public) mode and Ad-hoc mode (option)
Voice
- SIP (RFC 3261) version 2
- SDP (RFC2327)
- RTP (RFC1889)
- RTCP (RFC1890)
- CODEC: G711, G.729a
- DTMF detection and relay
- G.168 echo cancellation
- Silence Suppression
- Voice Activity Detection (VAD)
- Comfort Noise Generation (CNG)
- QoS support TOS / DiffServ
- Support outbond proxy for NAT Traversal
Cisco has already developed an 802.11 wireless phone for their VoIP networks for businesses. They've developed fully VoIP phones that only need a certain server and a cat5 connection to the internet to function. They can also use TTS(Text to speech) and ASR(automatic speech recognition) commands for the blind people, and the phones read XML for menus. I think cisco's are cooler.
This would probably work well on a LAN, but would this really work well between networks at all Wi-fi hot spots? I'd be concerned about spotty coverage where the Internet connection is slow, such as at a coffee shop or hotel where every computer on the network is sharing one DSL connection.
Also, since Wi-fi coverage is still spotty, even inside of cities, traditional mobile service is probably still the best solution for most folks. Once Wi-fi becomes more widely deployed, then this kind of device could displace traditional mobile techs.
Ha, ha! Nobody ever says Italy.
Hi there! What planet are you from?
Cisco has had wi-fi VoIP phones for a year. A friend uses them at work at they are rather nifty. I think there might be some handover issues since mobile IP isn't really fit for fight yet.
Here's the product page.
If you google for wi-fi phone you'll find there are some others as well, but coming from the PDA end of the spectrum.
Plus Nokia's latest phone/pda has wi-fi as well, but I don't think you they are available in stores yet.