Wi-Fi Alliance Certifies Nearly 100 Phones
BY GLENN FLEISHMAN
The Wi-Fi Alliance says that nearly 100 handsets are certified: The group has certified 82 dual-mode handsets and 10 Wi-Fi-only phones. The idea of certifying voice handsets that incorporate Wi-Fi allows the alliance to ensure both interoperability and better performance. Frank Hanzlik, the alliance’s executive director, said in an interview that this testing helps the manufacturer produce devices that function better in difficult RF environments, as well as align the phone’s function relative to Wi-Fi gateways. The alliance has also been working closely with the CTIA, the cell industry’s trade group.
Hanzlik said that he has been working to raise awareness of the WMM (Wireless Multimedia) extensions that allow voice packets to achieve priority across a network, WPA2 security, and the special WMM Power Save mode, which can extend battery life by 25 to 40 percent on a handset through better management of unnecessary communications with a gateway. Hanzlik expects over time to see WMM and WMM Power Save in more gateways. WMM Power Save could be a simple upgrade for most routers, as it requires no changes in the radio. Incompatible power save modes can actually waste power, and the alliance would like all makers to move towards their certified version.
For large-scale hotspot networks, moving to WMM Power Save could dramatically improve the experience of mobile users making Wi-Fi calls. “When you look at these very, very large operators like T-Mobile here in the US, or some of the folks in the Wireless Broadband Alliance [a worldwide consortium of hotspot operators], we’re trying to get the word out to these folks” to upgrade their networks or plan to include WMM Power Save from the beginning.
Posted by Glennf at February 11, 2007 10:00 PM
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Costco Wholesale Business Centers to Sell Sotto Wireless Office Telephone Service
SEATTLE, Jul 11, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sotto Wireless ( www.sotto.com) today announced that its all-in-one wireless and office phone communications service, Sotto@SOHO, will be sold through Costco Wholesale Business Center stores beginning today at the Fife, Washington, Costco store. Other participating stores will include Costco Business Centers in Lynnwood, Washington, Hayward, California, and Phoenix.
Sotto services combine the savings of hosted VoIP with the freedom of cellular telephony, allowing small businesses to communicate like big companies at a fraction of the cost. Subscribers get the mobility of cellular along with the services traditionally associated with an office PBX -- extension dialing, call transfers and an automated attendant -- all with one phone number that follows them anywhere they do business.
Sotto@SOHO is for businesses of up to 10 employees working anywhere -- at a central office, remote and home offices, or on the road. All Sotto phones place and receive calls over VoIP for a low fixed monthly rate when in range of a self-installed Sotto Wi-Fi Gateway. Away from the office, Sotto's Business Anywhere(TM) Nokia smart phones switch to the GSM cellular network.
"Costco Wholesale Business Centers offer an array of services important to business owners," said Richard Chavez, Senior Vice President, Costco Wholesale. "Sotto@SOHO is targeted to businesses that are focused on value for what they spend. We're pleased to add Sotto@SOHO to our lineup."
With the growth of mobile phone services as the norm for businesses of all size, and often the only phone service for start-ups and small businesses, Sotto sought to give people the ability to pick up calls from the office as well as the road. Users have one number, one phone and one voice mailbox that work the same, no matter where they are. In addition, users do not need to worry about racking up minutes charges on their cell phones since they have unlimited minutes through the Sotto Gateway. Business owners retain control of their most valuable asset, customer communications, through Sotto's innovative Service Manager that gives administrators access to detailed usage and calling records on business lines.
"Businesses can't afford to miss calls, but many can't afford to pay for the increasingly high costs of multiple telephony options -- as anyone with both land lines and cell phones knows," said Rod Nelson, CEO, Sotto Wireless. "Sotto@SOHO gives users the benefits of both services -- the mobility of cell phones and the permanence of office systems -- for one easy-on-the-budget price. Plus it keeps ownership of customer communications in the hands of the business owner."
Costco will sell Sotto@SOHO starter kits containing two Nokia E51 smart phones and a Sotto Gateway for $399. A $699 kit includes two Nokia E61i smart phones, a Sotto Gateway and a Polycom IP320 desk phone with Office Attendant. Service plans start at $49.95 per month for unlimited nationwide VoIP calling, plus cellular bundles as low as $49.95 for 1,000 voice minutes. Sotto cellular bundles are shared among all of the business' users, never expire and only need to be purchased again after they're used up. As a special introductory offer, Sotto is providing 90 days of free wireless VoIP service, 1,000 cellular voice minutes, 20 MB of data, 100 text messages and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Sotto@SOHO is also available through Sotto's online store at www.sotto.com, in addition to the Costco Warehouse Business Centers in Fife, Washington, and soon in Lynnwood, Washington, Hayward, California, and Phoenix.
About Sotto Wireless
Sotto Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of all-in-one business communications services that combine the mobility of cellular phones with the functionality of office phone systems into one simple service. Sotto's platform includes the latest phones and integrated Web-based management tools, transforming customers' communications into a competitive asset and lowering costs. For more information on Sotto Wireless, visit www.sottowireless.com.
SOURCE: Sotto Wireless
McKenzie Worldwide
Megan McKenzie, 503-863-2001
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
or
Rob Goodman, 503-863-2004
robg@mckenzieworldwide.com
Sotto services combine the savings of hosted VoIP with the freedom of cellular telephony, allowing small businesses to communicate like big companies at a fraction of the cost. Subscribers get the mobility of cellular along with the services traditionally associated with an office PBX -- extension dialing, call transfers and an automated attendant -- all with one phone number that follows them anywhere they do business.
Sotto@SOHO is for businesses of up to 10 employees working anywhere -- at a central office, remote and home offices, or on the road. All Sotto phones place and receive calls over VoIP for a low fixed monthly rate when in range of a self-installed Sotto Wi-Fi Gateway. Away from the office, Sotto's Business Anywhere(TM) Nokia smart phones switch to the GSM cellular network.
"Costco Wholesale Business Centers offer an array of services important to business owners," said Richard Chavez, Senior Vice President, Costco Wholesale. "Sotto@SOHO is targeted to businesses that are focused on value for what they spend. We're pleased to add Sotto@SOHO to our lineup."
With the growth of mobile phone services as the norm for businesses of all size, and often the only phone service for start-ups and small businesses, Sotto sought to give people the ability to pick up calls from the office as well as the road. Users have one number, one phone and one voice mailbox that work the same, no matter where they are. In addition, users do not need to worry about racking up minutes charges on their cell phones since they have unlimited minutes through the Sotto Gateway. Business owners retain control of their most valuable asset, customer communications, through Sotto's innovative Service Manager that gives administrators access to detailed usage and calling records on business lines.
"Businesses can't afford to miss calls, but many can't afford to pay for the increasingly high costs of multiple telephony options -- as anyone with both land lines and cell phones knows," said Rod Nelson, CEO, Sotto Wireless. "Sotto@SOHO gives users the benefits of both services -- the mobility of cell phones and the permanence of office systems -- for one easy-on-the-budget price. Plus it keeps ownership of customer communications in the hands of the business owner."
Costco will sell Sotto@SOHO starter kits containing two Nokia E51 smart phones and a Sotto Gateway for $399. A $699 kit includes two Nokia E61i smart phones, a Sotto Gateway and a Polycom IP320 desk phone with Office Attendant. Service plans start at $49.95 per month for unlimited nationwide VoIP calling, plus cellular bundles as low as $49.95 for 1,000 voice minutes. Sotto cellular bundles are shared among all of the business' users, never expire and only need to be purchased again after they're used up. As a special introductory offer, Sotto is providing 90 days of free wireless VoIP service, 1,000 cellular voice minutes, 20 MB of data, 100 text messages and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Sotto@SOHO is also available through Sotto's online store at www.sotto.com, in addition to the Costco Warehouse Business Centers in Fife, Washington, and soon in Lynnwood, Washington, Hayward, California, and Phoenix.
About Sotto Wireless
Sotto Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of all-in-one business communications services that combine the mobility of cellular phones with the functionality of office phone systems into one simple service. Sotto's platform includes the latest phones and integrated Web-based management tools, transforming customers' communications into a competitive asset and lowering costs. For more information on Sotto Wireless, visit www.sottowireless.com.
SOURCE: Sotto Wireless
McKenzie Worldwide
Megan McKenzie, 503-863-2001
meganm@mckenzieworldwide.com
or
Rob Goodman, 503-863-2004
robg@mckenzieworldwide.com
More Wi-Fi hotspots allow more VoIP phone calls
Increasing numbers of Wi-Fi hotspots are appearing worldwide allowing more locations where VoIP phone calls can be made, a report has suggested.
The report, by ABI Research, found that the Wi-Fi market is expected to grow by 40 per cent compared with 2007 and its business model has been changing rapidly.
It found that companies such as Starbucks have been altering how they look at the technology, for instance offering a virtually free service, meaning customers can take full advantage of the low cost of VoIP phone calls.
"Starbucks decision to go to a virtually free Wi-Fi hotspot model is having a profound impact," said Stan Schatt, ABI Research vice president and research director.
"Hotspot owners are beginning to see Wi-Fi as a cost of doing business and an operational expense, rather than as a profit centre."
He expected other retailers to move to a similar model in stages, with the initial stage being akin to a free or nearly free service for customers with loyalty cards.
The report, by ABI Research, found that the Wi-Fi market is expected to grow by 40 per cent compared with 2007 and its business model has been changing rapidly.
It found that companies such as Starbucks have been altering how they look at the technology, for instance offering a virtually free service, meaning customers can take full advantage of the low cost of VoIP phone calls.
"Starbucks decision to go to a virtually free Wi-Fi hotspot model is having a profound impact," said Stan Schatt, ABI Research vice president and research director.
"Hotspot owners are beginning to see Wi-Fi as a cost of doing business and an operational expense, rather than as a profit centre."
He expected other retailers to move to a similar model in stages, with the initial stage being akin to a free or nearly free service for customers with loyalty cards.
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