New Phone Uses WLAN or Cel Networks

Reefa writes "Avaya, Motorola and Proxim this week are expected to announce a co-developed handset and enterprise network gear that let mobile phone users roam between cellular networks and wireless LANs to make/receive calls. The phone uses SIP to make calls when on the WLAN network and switches to using cellular network when out of WLAN coverage and vice versa. The device also supports Push-To-Talk over SIP. BTW, the phone runs WinCE."

Comments

There is already a similar product being marketed

[bain_online]

This kind of device already exists,

Its small poacket size box which has bluetooth capability. You can use a bt headset and a pocketpc/palm with bluetooth to connect to it. And it can make gsm calls, has voip stack comes with its own sip server, and works with any access point.

here is the link

you will find some info on the company and product

Re:An intriguing solution to some problems

[gwernol]

The one thing that gets me from the article (yes, I actually read it...go figure) is that you have to use Avaya access points. That right there could be the deal killer because there are already thousands of access points installed around the country. I don't see that many companies tearing apart their infrastructure simply for this functionality. Think of all the national rollout plans (McDonalds, Panera Breads, airports, Barnes & Noble, etc) that would have to redo everything. It would be like starting from scratch for them and for the WiFi companies that installed everything.

But the main use would be within a company, not for public WiFi access points. Replacing the APs within a building, or throughout a hospital (as discussed in the article... natch) is a much smaller task and could easily pay for itself if the calling costs were suitably low.

Re:Two problems...

[Teancom]

But QoS can be implemented using standard routers. I.e., the routers that every enterprise workplace already has. Connected to via the WAPs and switches that every enterprise already has. Which is my point, really. The "in my house" was meant firmly tongue in cheek :-). As the guy in the article says, they just got done rolling out cisco waps everywhere in the building. Why can't they use those?