More and more companies are investing in the development of dual-mode WiFi/cellular hybrid telephone devices. The idea behind the creation of such devices—a mobile seamless and uninterrupted communication conducted through both cellular and IP networks is prompting companies like Net2Phone (news - alert) to compete is such a niche market.
Net2Phone is entering this market with the launch of the VoiceLine XJ100 WiFi Handset, letting users connect via WiFi to Net2Phone's session initiation protocol (SIP)-based VoiceLine VoIP service. Net2Phone developed the device to enable connection over the public Internet.
"[VoiceLine XJ100 WiFi Handset] works well in any home environment, business, airport, or hotel that has a WiFi network," said David Span, Net2Phone's senior vice president of product management and marketing at product launch. The VoiceLine XJ100 WiFi Handset supports a range of telephony features, including voice mail, caller ID, and call forwarding. Net2Phone said that the handset's suggested retail price is US $160.
Net2Phone’s VoiceLine service provides both inbound and outbound calling, enabling users to choose from a U.S. local, U.S. toll-free, and U.K. toll-free telephone number. The company terminates the calls to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Net2Phone currently markets VoiceLine as both—a private-label service through service provider partners and directly to businesses and individuals.
"By removing the tether from wireline services, we have extended the availability of VoIP to customers who have access to wireless broadband," said Stephen Greenberg, CEO of Net2Phone. "By enabling service providers with a WiFi VoIP solution that builds upon our existing broadband telephony solutions, we have created one more method to enhance their service offering to their customers."
This announcement follows Net2Phone’s three-week old deal with Coditel Belgium, Coditel Luxembourg and Est Videocommunication in France, enabling the three cable franchises to offer VoIP (define - news - alert) calling services to their more than half a million subscribers.
The company says that its future plans include a softphone client that will connect users of PDAs and desktop and laptop computers to the VoiceLine service.
Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet.com and Internet Telephony magazine. Previously, she was
assistant editor for EContent magazine in Connecticut. She
can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]. |
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