The role of Wi-Fi in unified communications

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• Messages,
• Lan,
• Wi Fi,
• Battery

Deb Shinder

Published: 11 Jun 2008 10:37 BST

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Wireless technologies have played a major role in opening up internet access — and thus the ability to communicate with others in remote locations — to more people in more places.

As communication methods converge, Wi-Fi makes it easier for you to access email, instant messages, faxes, voicemail and VoIP calls from a common interface — no matter where you might be.

Higher bandwidth and greater reliability (such as that offered by the new 802.11n standards) make voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) feasible. Of course, with conventional 802.11 wireless, the transmission range can limit the usefulness. But 802.16 (WiMax) greatly expands that range, making wireless a viable 'last-mile' broadband option that will compete with cable and DSL.

More and more products are coming onto the market that allow you to integrate wireless technologies into your unified communications strategy. Let's take a closer look.

Dual-mode (cellular/WLAN) phones
The next big boon to unified communications may come from cellular-wireless convergence. Mobile phones that can operate on both cellular and Wi-Fi or WiMax networks — and switch over automatically when an 802.11 or 802.16 network is in range — could greatly reduce the cost of mobile communications for both personal and business users.

To make it happen, not only do you need mobile handsets that support dual-mode communications; you also need a device on the network that can do the switching between the wireless LAN and the cellular network. Dual-mode phones are available from a number of vendors, including Cisco, Motorola and Samsung.

In addition, enterprises are using solutions such as the RoamAnywhere appliance from Agito Networks to provide better connectivity and reduce cellular costs. These solutions allow users to connect over the wireless LAN when they’re on-site at the workplace and then kick over to cellular when they leave the building — even in the middle of a call.

The system integrates into the company's IP PBX system, so they have access to many of the same sophisticated features used on desktop phones, such as dialling internal numbers by extension and the ability to transfer calls, as well as a single phone number within the building that follows them when they 'go cellular'. The RoamAnywhere Mobility Router monitors connections and can determine the location of each user (inside or outside the wireless LAN’s range) and route the call through the Wi-Fi or cellular network accordingly.

Avaya is a leading vendor in the unified communications space and well known as a maker of IP phones. Its Unified Communications Center (UCC) software allows users to access their Exchange or Lotus Domino email, voicemail and fax messages, as well as Exchange contacts, calendars and task lists via voice commands.

Last year, Avaya teamed with Nokia to provide dual-mode functionality with Nokia's E60, E61 and E70 model cell phones. Dubbed Avaya one-X Mobile Dual Mode, the solution lets users 'hand off' calls from the internal Wi-Fi network to the cellular network by pressing a button.

DiVitas Networks is another leader in mobile convergence technologies. Its Unified Mobile Communication solution offers seamless roaming between cellular (both GSM and CDMA) and Wi-Fi networks with Windows Mobile...

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