BT has unveiled a new enterprise fixed-mobile
convergence (FMC) solution to help organisations merge their Wi-Fi
networks to GSM mobile networks to cut costs.
It said the new service would enable organisations to take
advantage of fixed-mobile convergence and the increasing deployment
of IP telephony and Wi-Fi coverage, to potentially deliver greater
productivity, benefit from reduced GSM call costs, and improve
quality of service.
BT launched a similar service to home users and small offices
over a year ago, which sees users deploy a small wireless hub that
connects a dual-mode phone to both a land line and a mobile
network.
When in range of the hub, the calls are routed through a cheaper
land line, and when not in range they go over the more expensive
mobile network. BT is selling competitive call price plans with
this service.
The first customer to trial the new enterprise service is Leeds
City Council, the UK’s second largest local authority.
The council is piloting BT Corporate Fusion across two of its
premises to assess its capability of improving productivity and
communications.
Leeds Council employees involved in the trial will use a
dual-mode mobile phone that incorporates both regular GSM and
additional Wi-Fi connectivity.
Within Leeds Council’s premises, calls made from these mobile
phones are connected via Wi-Fi access points and routed over
existing fixed-line infrastructure.
Deploying Wi-Fi access points across the council’s premises
ensures optimal in-building coverage. At present, analysts such as
Gartner and IDC estimate that more than 50% of employees’ mobile
phone calls are made within offices, despite the fact that cheaper
fixed-line phones are readily available.
The use of BT Corporate Fusion will allow Leeds Council staff to
continue using a mobile device, while allowing the council to
migrate these calls on to Wi-Fi and potentially bring down the
cost.
Outside the office, the device works like a regular mobile
phone, enjoying ubiquitous coverage and the benefits of global
roaming on GSM.
Adrian Fegan, Leeds Council’s head of ICT operations, said of
the service, “It allows us to operate more efficiently by reducing
our telecoms spend, which is critically important for an
organisation spending public funds. It also gives us the
opportunity to be more responsive. Our employees can be more mobile
and contactable, and as result, they can serve the city of Leeds to
the best effect.”
BT will announce details of mobile handset deals with suppliers
in the coming weeks. The service will be launched in the UK and
Italy in early 2007, followed by a phased international roll-out in
Germany, Benelux, Spain and France.
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