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

Supports wireless LAN and various public wireless networks for a wide range of uses

Net-2Com Corporation,Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.

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)

Key Specifications

Display 2.2 inch QGVA color LCD
Voice CODEC G.711, G.729a compatible
Wireless LAN protocol IEEE802.11b (built-in)
External Interface CF Slot x 1, USB x 1
OS Windows CE .NET 4.2 (Linux support under consideration)
CPU Intel PXA273®(7)

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/

New Wireless IP Handset Prototype from Net-2Com and Fujitsu LaboratoriesNew Wireless IP Handset Prototype from Net-2Com and Fujitsu Laboratories

  • [1] CompactFlash® (CF)

    CompactFlash® (CF) cards: Compact cards that follow industry standards established by the CompactFlash Association. Various networking cards supporting public wireless networks are available in this format.

  • [2] seamless handover

    Seamless handover: Technology which enables uninterrupted service while switching from one network to another.

  • [3] Capable of automatic switching between wireless LAN and various public wireless networks and uninterrupted service during network switching.

    Fujitsu's Seamlesslink® software is included in this handset as a standard feature. A separate mobile IP server is required for seamless service while switching networks.

  • [4] Features automatic connection regardless of connection method variances in various wireless LAN hotspots.

    Automatic connection to various wireless LAN hotspots is enabled by including Fujitsu’s Automatic Authentification Control Software for Seamlesslink as a standard feature. This feature may not support some wireless LAN hotspots.

  • [5] Supports IP phones in narrow-bandwith wireless networks through high-compression voice CODEC.

    High-compression voice CODEC: High-efficiency voice code-decode method for converting voice signal into digital code. This handset uses the international standard G.729a.

  • [6] Expected to feature circuit-switching mode voice communication functions through public wireless network cards.

    The circuit-switching mode voice communication function conducted through public wireless networking cards requires the use of networking cards which feature voice communication functions, and compatible software provided by each various card vendor.

  • [7] Intel PXA273®

    Intel's PXA273® processor: One of Intel's latest processor designed for cellular phones and PDAs.

  • [8] Ubiquitous IP Phone System

    Ubiquitous IP Phone System : Fujitsu's IP telephone system which keeps track of user location and usage situation, and connects the user's phone by the optimal method and through the ideal device.

  • [9] Task Computing Technology

    Task Computing: A new techology developed by Fujitsu that enables users to freely and easily orchestrate devices, e-services and PC applications to execute complex tasks with just a few clicks or voice commands, by using semantic web technology. For more information: http://www.fla.fujitsu.com/newsarticle.asp?navid=464&newsid=429

About Net-2Com Corporation

Created as part of a Fujitsu program to cultivate venture startups in July 2000. Net-2Com Corporation markets network products based on proprietary VoIP technology and provides solutions for enterprise-based environments and telecommunication service providers. Main products are IP-Centrex, IP-PBX, wireless IP phones, etc.
For more information, please see: http://www.net-2com.com/

About Fujitsu Laboratories

Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Limited is one of the premier research centers in the world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Multimedia, Personal Systems, Network, Peripherals, Advanced Materials and Electronic Devices. For more information, please see: http://jp.fujitsu.com/labs/en/

Press Contacts

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Company:Fujitsu Limited

Customer Contacts

Sales Department

Phone: Phone: +81-3-3833-8081
E-mail: E-mail: salesjp@net-2com.com
Company:Net-2Com Corporation

Technical Contacts

Web & IP Research Center
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E-mail: E-mail: ubip@ml.labs.fujitsu.com
Company:Fujitsu Laboratories Limited


All company/product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only.

Date: 23 June, 2004
City: Tokyo
Company: Net-2Com Corporation, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., , , ,