Headset maker GN Netcom is reportedly now shipping its GN 9300 series of wireless office headsets – including the GN 9350, the industry’s first wireless headset to offer full convergence between traditional phone service and PC-based VoIP. The company first announced availability of the new series in August.

The GN 9350 recently won the 2006 IP Contact Center Technology Pioneer Award from Technology Marketing Corporation.

Using the DECT (News - Alert) 6.0 standard and operating in the WiFi (News - Alert) friendly frequency of 1.9 GHz, the GN 9300 series offers advanced functionality for professionals in the call center, corporate, small business and SOHO environments and comes in three stylish models.

The GN 9350, which offers full convergence between traditional and PC-based IP telephony, also features DSP-enhanced sound quality, a range of 300 feet, three wearing styles and multi-unit conferencing. It has an MSRP of $349 (USD).

The GN 9330 is designed for traditional telephony. It has a range of 200 feet and two wearing styles. It has an MSRP of $249 (USD).

The GN 9330 also comes in a USB model. It, too, has a range of 200 feet, two wearing styles, and an MSRP of $249 (USD).

The introduction of the GN9350 stands as further affirmation that IP Telephony is seriously starting to take hold in the business world. At the same time, because it is dual mode, that means companies which purchase this headset can make their transition to IP Telephony gradually - and at any time.

VoIP brings many advantages to businesses, including that it is less expensive than traditional phone service and brings advanced, next generation features that can help boost efficiency and productivity. Data gathered by Infonetics Research shows that 36 percent of large businesses in the U.S. are now using VoIP. Similarly, 23 percent of medium businesses and 14 percent of small businesses have adopted the technology. Infonetics predicts that almost half of small, and two-thirds of large, organizations in North America will be using VoIP by 2010. In addition, Frost & Sullivan is forecasting that VoIP will account for about 75 percent of the world’s voice traffic by 2007.

“The GN 9350 is a versatile, multi-use wireless headset that fits a variety of hands-free needs in the office and contact center industry,” TMC said in its review of the new wireless headset. “The GN 9350 is ideal for contact center supervisors who monitor agent calls on their PCs via a USB headset but are still using traditional telephony for their own telephone calls. With the GN 9350, these managers can use one headset for both tasks and roam from their desks while on calls. The GN 9350 offers DSP-enhanced sound quality and 6.8 kHz wideband audio that supports the full IP bandwidth. The GN 9350 also supports wireless conference calling. Up to four GN 9350 users are able to synch into the same call with their individual headsets by simply placing each headset into the base station of where the original connection was established. The conference call, typically consisting of people confined in a room crowded around a speakerphone, is now transformed into a discrete, clear conversation, giving its participants the convenience to roam within a 300-foot range.”

In other news, GN Netcom yesterday unveiled the GN Advantage Plan, a customized headset subscription program for large companies. The per month subscription plan lets companies replace their existing technology with greater ease, while at the same time ensuring technical and personnel compatibility are maintained. The program can be tailored to meet a company’s changing needs and also helps with budgeting and capital planning. By giving employees the latest in headset technology, companies can ensure optimum long-term productivity and efficiency.

The plan includes a “one stop shop” program and also offers installation and maintenance services. Also included are extended warranties, training and site audits.

“The individual attention of the GN Advantage program ensures we are with our customers every step of the way,” said David Wood, senior vice president and general manager of GN Netcom’s North American operations, in a press release. “We make sure businesses have the right headset configuration, at the right time and if an upgrade is needed, we are there to assist as part of the technology upgrade path. The plan helps preserve our partners’ investment in the case that new systems are not compatible.”

For more information, visit www.gnnetcom.com.

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Patrick Barnard is Associate Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page.