Avaya and Nokia are collaborating on technology to allow
companies to cut mobile calling costs.
The joint effort includes a dual-mode device with session
initiation protocol (Sip) capabilities that can make and receive
calls via mobile and wireless Lans on and off a company
campus.
Sip gives the mobile device an easy connection to a corporate
network and the same functionality as a desktop device. By allowing
a mobile phone to make calls via the enterprise private branch
exchange (PBX), companies can cut calls made on expensive mobile
networks.
Phillip Redman, an analyst at Gartner, said, "Convergence in the
enterprise is happening rapidly today on both the wired and
wireless Lan, reducing network and device costs and driving new
capabilities for voice and data access across networks."
The dual-mode device can be equipped with an Avaya mobile
application giving Nokia phone users access to Avaya Communication
Manager-based enterprise telephony capabilities.
"Nokia is working with Avaya to extend voice communications to
mobile workers who want to use a single Nokia device to access
mobile or Wi-Fi networks while retaining enterprise control and PBX
functionality," said Jaakko Olkkonen, Nokia's general manager of
enterprise voice solutions.
"The Avaya application for Nokia devices will allow users to enjoy
the convenience of one business number and one voice mailbox, and
route mobile calls to enterprise IP networks for better cost
control and streamlined management."
The companies are testing the technology on Nokia Series 60
smartphones at organisations in Europe, including Italy's National
Centre for Information Technologies in Public Administration.
It is expected to be commercially available later this summer.
BT Bluephone >>