RTX PORTALphone Delivers WiFi Telephony and Web Content to Home Users

By Laura Stotler

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

RTX America has announced its PORTALphone, a hybrid, web-enabled cordless phone that combines VoIP and standard telephony and enables consumers to view customized web content on a color display. The new phone is optimized for Casabi’s platform, enabling delivery of rich web content services like news, local traffic and weather reports and instant messaging.

 

The PORTALphone offers better than toll quality voice for up to three simultaneous VoIP calls, and enables customers to make and receive calls from anywhere in a house. The base station connects to a traditional telephone socket and a broadband connection simultaneously, and the phone supports SIP-based VoIP in additional to standard PPOTS telephony.

 

The new phone enables carriers to differentiate and integrate their services for better attraction and attrition of subscribers. It also enables users to personalize their telephony experience for each member of the family. The PORTALphone is WiFi friendly, and offers a secure wireless connection for up to six cordless handsets. It is part of the DUALphone family of products from RTX.

 

The Casabi platform is used to optimize and deliver a number of applications and services directly to the handset, including a user's personal phonebook, buddy list or message inbox. The solution can also push time critical content like weather updates, traffic reports or calendar alarms directly to the handset.

 

"The RTX PORTALphone gives carriers a compelling opportunity to differentiate their VoIP services and add value beyond just voice," said Curtis Schmidek, vice president of marketing at RTX America. "And customers get the best of both worlds. They can have personalized rich web content and VoIP capabilities on a cordless telephone that seamlessly integrates with their traditional telephone line."

 

"We are thrilled that RTX shares our vision for a smart home telephone," said Dave Weinstein, vice president of marketing and co-founder of Casabi. "Powered by Casabi, the PORTALphone delivers valuable web-based content and services directly to the telephone handset, where and when they are most needed."

 

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