3Com Intros VoIP Phone

By Johanne Torres

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

 

3Com has introduced the 3108 Wireless Phone, a SIP-based IP device for enterprise users, which integrates mobility with VoIP communications on a wireless LAN (802.11b/g) infrastructure. The phone allows users to roam a building or campus environment without having their calls interrupted, access e-mail wirelessly and run data applications.

 

The new device also enables users who are connected to an enterprise phone system to answer the calls that are destined for their desks while they are anywhere in a building or campus environment. Users can also use the phone to transfer calls to other departments, gain access to a live receptionist and listen to office voicemail. According to 3Com’s (News - Alert) news release, the features are delivered with no expensive per-minute usage fees.

 

“In today’s interactive world, many employees are no longer spending hours tied to their desks. To be productive, employees have to be mobile to effectively engage customers, solve problems and collaborate with partners and other employees,” said Brian Allain, vice president and general manager of 3Com’s Data and Voice Business Unit in a statement released on Thursday. “Organizations know the cost savings and business benefits of VoIP and the flexibility a wireless infrastructure deliver. This phone brings these capabilities together. With 3Com, customers can go to a single vendor to provide all of the elements of a secure, converged network — IP telephony, wireless and data switches, Intrusion (News - Alert) Prevention Systems (IPS) and a single service organization to provide support and make sure it all works.”

 

The 3Com 3108 Wireless Phone features a “clamshell flip” shape and a high-quality color display. The device’s keypad and four-way cursor allows users to manage calls, access their phonebook, view call logs and view e-mails. Users can customize the phone by selecting ring tones, speed dials and connectivity settings via a Web browser-based management tool.

 

The phone is currently available through 3Com channel partners and distributors at a list price of $415 USD.

 

This is the second VoIP-related announcement 3Com makes this week. The company also made public its recent partnership with BroadSoft (News - Alert) a few days ago. Thanks to the partnership, BroadSoft’s BroadWorks platform will now interoperate with 3Com’s converged network systems. The move will enable the companies to make available an offering for service providers which will allow them to streamline the delivery of hosted VoIP at the customer site.

 

3Com’s suite of switches, routers, IP phones, security and wireless solutions support VoIP traffic. The partnership will give service providers an opportunity to offer small and medium-sized businesses a hosted VoIP system based on 3Com’s products, supporting BroadWorks’ platform. The integrated 3Com portfolio will also enable service providers to proactively diagnose problems to prevent outages.

 

3Com Corporation

 

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