Net-2Com and Fujitsu Develop World's First Wireless IP Handset Enabling Seamless Switching Between Wireless Networks

Tokyo , June 23, 2004

Net-2Com Corporation and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today jointly announced the development of the world's first wireless IP mobile handset capable of seamless switching between wireless LAN and public wireless networks. The prototype handset features built-in wireless LAN functions and enables free selection of public wireless networks through inserting various CompactFlash® (CF)⁽¹⁾ networking cards, allowing global use. By adopting standard operating systems (OS) for PDAs, this handset supports a wide range of applications including business applications.

The handset is a new kind of wireless IP phone featuring open architecture, which enables free selection of applications and networks, and compact portability adaptable to the variety of networking environments, tasks, services and usages of the ubiquitous networking era. The prototype will be exhibited at CHINA ELECOM 2004 from June 23 in Shanghai and at Fujitsu Solution Forum 2004 from July 7 in Tokyo.

Background

With the spread of wireless LAN in corporations, homes, and public areas, demand for wireless IP handsets is growing. However, areas in which wireless LAN can be used are limited to hotspots. On the other hand, public wireless networks such as PHS and cellular phone networks, etc. generally have a limited data bandwith but cover wide areas. Thus, the creation of an IP handset capable of supporting both wireless LAN and public wireless network was sought.

At the same time, although mobile PCs and PDAs can run various applications freely, they lacked the compact portability offered by mobile handsets. Given this, needs grew for a device that features both the compact mobility of handsets along with open architecture available for PCs and PDAs.

Newly developed IP Handset Prototype

The developed handset is a prototype of a new type of IP handset featuring a built-in wireless LAN, and which encompasses both open architecture and compact mobility. The handset is capable of supporting a variety of public wireless networks through the insertion of CompactFlash cards and utilizes open architecture which makes it possible to add applications as desired. The prototype enables seamless handover ⁽²⁾between wireless LAN and various public wireless networks and is ideal for networking environments in today's ubiquitous networking era. Net-2Com primarily developed the hardware, while Fujitsu Laboratories was mainly responsible for software development.

Features

1. Includes CompactFlash slot interface for compatibility with various public wireless networks.

2. Runs on standard OS and freely supports various applications

3. Capable of automatic switching between wireless LAN and various public wireless networks and uninterrupted service during network switching.⁽³⁾

4. Features automatic connection regardless of connection method variances in various wireless LAN hotspots.⁽⁴⁾

5. Supports IP phones in narrow-bandwith wireless networks through high-compression voice CODEC.⁽⁵⁾

6. Expected to feature circuit-switching mode voice communication functions through public wireless network cards.⁽⁶⁾

Future Develpments

This prototype is scheduled to be commercialized by fall of 2004 by Net-2Com Corporation, and is expected to be made available in markets in Japan and China, and in other regions in combination with Net-2Com's currently available IP-Centrex products. With cooperation from Fujitsu Limited, Net-2Com will aim to support Fujitsu's Ubiquitous IP Phone System⁽⁸⁾ and corporate mobile solution applications. Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. will strive to incorporate into the new handset Fujitsu's Task Computing Technology⁽⁹⁾ for networking with peripheral devices and various application services.

Related Links

Net-2Com Corporation: http://www.net-2com.com/

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.: http://www.labs.fujitsu.com/en/