WiFi Phones

Voice over IP technology is no longer new, as evidenced by the increased rate of adoption in both business and consumer markets. Service providers of all sorts are rushing to add voice to their offerings, and hardware vendors are steadily growing their product lines.

The latest obsession has become mobility, which comes in many flavors, and productivity demands and improved wireless networking solutions have created a need for VoIP technology to also be extended to the wireless world. Being untethered from their desktops enables workers to be more effective, and the ability to access corporate wireless networks can dramatically decrease cellular calling costs, which has prompted many phone manufacturers to develop WiFi-enabled handsets. On the consumer side, the Skype phenomenon has also caused vendors to make similar products available for home and SOHO use, many of which have been specifically designed for user with Skype. Some of the handsets are relatively basic, while others offer SIP compatibility and many of the features users have come to enjoy — even demand — from their cellular devices.

With that in mind, this month’s product round-up features a selection of WiFienabled phones. These represent many of the products available to businesses and consumers, and we encourage you to use this list as a starting point for selecting the WiFi handset that is best suited to your specific needs and budget. There is also a selection of cellular/WiFi dual mode handsets available already, as the fixed/mobile convergence (FMC) movement gains traction. Those products will likely be covered in a later issue.

Belkin
http://www.belkin.com/skype

The Belkin (news - alert) WiFi Phone for Skype doesn’t require a PC and will work anywhere in the world where users have secured or open access to a WiFi network. Any home, office, cafe, or municipal wireless access point that does not require browser-based authentication will do. The phone comes ready to use, pre-loaded with Skype software and featuring the same Skype interface with which users have become familiar. It is easy to use — to make a call, users simply use the intuitive on-screen color menu to locate contacts and view their online availability. The WiFi Phone is Skype certified, which means that it adheres to all Skype’s requirements to ensure that users’ WiFi Phone experience is just like it would be on a PC.

Cisco
http://www.cisco.com

Cisco (define - news - alert) extends advanced voice and unified communications capabilities across the enterprise with a powerful and innovative converged wireless solution based on an intelligent wireless infrastructure. The Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7920 is an easy to use IEEE 802.11b wireless IP phone that provides comprehensive voice communications in conjunction with Cisco Unified CallManager and the Cisco Aironet 1200, 1100, 350, and 340 series of WiFi (IEEE 802.11b) access points. As an integral component of the Cisco Unified Communications Wireless solution, the Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7920 transparently delivers intelligent services such as security, mobility, quality of service (QoS) and management across an end-toend Cisco network.

Clipcomm
http://www.clipcomm.co.kr

(news - alert) Clipcomm’s CWP-100, is a WiFi portable terminal with handy and sleek design, compatible with IEEE 802.11b standard and interoperable with major SIP/H.323 call servers, IP PBXs, and various terminals. The CWP-100 is easy to use and efficiently managed thanks to its integrated provisioning system.

Together with VoIP/PSTN dual mode IP Phone with lifeline function, residential FXS/FXO gateways and embedded IP-PBX for SMEs, CWP-100 completes Clipcomm’s VoIP solution lineup and can be an attractive alternative to ITSPs and IP PBX solution providers. As a VoIP terminal, CWP- 100 offers many essential features, such as easy-to-use auto-provisioning, dynamic jitter buffer, and firewall/NAT traversal.

Through its power management scheme optimized for its platform as well as the standard IEEE 802.11b power saving mechanism and highly optimized DSP software, the CWP-100 has exceptional performance for its power consumption.

D-Link
http://www.dlink.com

D-Link’s (news - alert) DPH-541 provides the freedom of wireless connectivity and the benefits of VoIP in a sleek, portable, flip-style phone. By utilizing the WiFi Phone with a VoIP service plan, both home and business users have the potential to dramatically reduce local and long distance telephone charges compared to a standard telephone service. It is a standalone device that does not require a computer — just an 802.11g or 802.11b wireless network with high-speed Internet access to make and receive calls. Users can make and receive calls just about anywhere there is a wireless connection available.

The DPH-541 uses SIP and is ready to be used with a VoIP service plan. For accessing secure wireless networks, it supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption, and with features like echo cancellation, packet delay compensation, and lost packet recovery, users can expect the voice quality from the WiFi phone to be similar to traditional PSTN phone calls.

The phone sports a large, bright color LCD screen that displays call information, such as call history, address book entries, and caller ID numbers, and supports several other convenient calling features including redial, mute, and hold.

Hitachi Cable
http://www.hitachi-cable.co.jp/en/index.html

(news - alert) Hitachi Cable invites a new communications environment using SIP and IEEE 802.11b in its WirelessIP5000, which provides unrivaled scalability capable of supporting all types of system environments and telephony requirements. From an office primarily using analog phones to a leading-edge office that has introduced an IP PBX and migrated largely to VoIP, the Hitachi WirelessIP5000 flexibly supports a wide range of user environments to create a truly ubiquitous network for all your business situations.

This wireless IP phone is 802.11b-compliant, allowing users to leverage their existing wireless LANs. The WirelessIP5000 automatically roams to the most suitable access point based on the electromagnetic wave strength and communication error state from the access point. The roaming conditions can be flexibly changed to match the access point.

A built-in site scan feature enables users to measure signal strength to find the best access point and plan access-point layouts. A ping feature is provided in order to enable users to check whether they can connect to a given person’s network or terminal. The WirelessIP5000’s presence feature allows users to quickly ascertain the availability of others without calling to find out. Support for instant messaging is also available.

NEC Unified Solutions
http://www.necunifiedsolutions.com

The (news - alert) NEC MH110 and MH120 Wireless Telephones are designed for a broad range of enterprise applications, from general office to industrial. These compact handsets offer a rich set of features including a high-resolution graphic display, menu-driven functions, and messaging capability, all within a light, ergonomic design. Push-to-talk functionality is available in the industrial-grade NEC MH120 Wireless Telephone for broadcast communication between employees, eliminating the need for two-way radios or walkie-talkies.

The NEC MH110 Wireless Telephone was designed specifically for busy office environments. This compact handset offers features and accessories that address the needs of a variety of businesses. The NEC MH120 Wireless Telephone was designed to meet the most demanding environmental requirements, and includes exclusive pushto- talk functionality. The handset is small enough to be highly mobile, yet rugged enough for heavy usage.

Netgea
http://www.netgear.com

(news - alert) NETGEAR’s SPH101 Skype WiFi Phone allows users to make free calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world, anytime they have WiFi access, without a PC. Users’ contacts (up to 200) are shown right on the phone’s color display so they will know exactly who is online. They will also be more available for your friends to call, because they no longer have to be on a PC to be connected. They can even make SkypeOut calls. Users can use any WiFi network to which they have access to talk with anyone else who’s also on Skype, anywhere in the world. The phone also enables features like call forwarding to mobile or landline numbers or other Skype accounts.

Samsung
http://www.samsung.com

The new (news - alert) Samsung OfficeServ SMT-W5100E Handset, communicating with SMT-R2000 Dual Band Wireless Access Points, bring a new definition of what power really means to wireless voice and data users.

With the W5100E, users gain greater control over productivity, beginning simply with the new trim design. A longer lasting battery source and added calling features users have come the expect from their cellular phones make the handset a business asset. The power is extended to an unlimited number of access points, supporting a wider coverage area. Together, these features allow users to experience a difference that’s real, real-time, and real-world.

Professionals will enjoy the latest 802.11g technology, which brings improved performance and call quality. The handset is SIP-compliant, making it compatible with many hardware solutions. The color display is easy to read and the speakerphone enables hands-free conversation, increasing productivity.

Spectralink
http://www.spectralink.com

Spectralink’s (news - alert) NetLink WiFi telephones support a broad range of enterprise applications, from general office to industrial environments. These compact handsets offer a rich set of features and accessories to suit users in a wide variety of applications. The NetLink 8020 is designed for users across a wide range of industries. With a lightweight yet rugged design and extensive feature support, it meets the needs of general office and management staff while also providing a reliable option for front-line personnel in high-use environments.

The NetLink 8030 extends the capabilities of the 8000 Series handsets by adding SpectraLink’s push-to-talk (PTT) feature along with improvements to the industrial design and handset ergonomics. The NetLink 8030 PTT capability allows instantaneous communication between employees independent of the PBX system, eliminating the need for two-way radios. The larger earpiece seals out background noise and provides comfort for frequent or lengthy calls. The 8030 is ideal for distributed work teams that require frequent communication.

UTStarcom
http://www.utstar.com

UTStarcom’s (news - alert) residential F3000 WiFi handset is a revolutionary device that expands the reach of VoIP communications. It provides consumers a new cost effective way to communicate, with great features such as three-way calling, call waiting, call transfer and many other popular features.

It features a clamshell design that supports 802.11b/g, SIP, SDP, RTP, DHCP, and TFTP and incorporates Adaptive jitter buffer, Echo suppression, Handover/Roaming between different APs and SSIDs, as well as many other technical aspects to ensure high quality calls over WiFi networks.

Viper Networks vPhone
http://www.vipernetworks.com

The Viper Networks (news - alert) WiFi vPhone is a next generation intelligent IP Communications device that combines SIPbased VoIP communications together with WiFi. The vPhone is an ideal option for branch offices as well as the SOHO market, enabling inexpensive VoIP calling from any location with 802.11b access over Vipers Global network. The vPhone’s scan feature functions as a wireless “Hot Spot” finder, and there is no need to be connected to a PC in order to place or receive calls.

Zyxel
http://www.zyxel.com

(news - alert) The SIP-based P-2000W is interoperable with major SIP-based call servers, IP PBXs, and other standard SIPbased client devices. The P-2000W_v2 is compliant with the IEEE 802.11b standard and interoperates with any existing 802.11b or 802.11g wireless AP and gateway, and can 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 environment.

The P-2000W_v2 is capable of tagging features that support a service provider’s QoS planning, such as ToS (Type of Service), and 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 P-2000W_v2 effectively reduces bandwidth consumption caused by voice traffic.

By configuring a remote IP address in the built-in phone book, the P-2000W_v2 provides a direct IP-to-IP call feature when there is no intermediate SIP proxy server available in the network. The P-2000W_v2 can also establish an 802.11 ad-hoc network, which allows users to use the handsets as wireless intercoms.