Siemens offers seamless FMC

A fixed-mobile convergence tool from Siemens should give enterprise users seamless roaming

Siemens will today unveil a fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) telephony product, the first to offer enterprise users seamless roaming with a single phone number and voicemail box, according to the company.

HiPath MobileConnect, available from April, consists of a network appliance that links to both a corporate IP PBX and wireless LAN (WLAN); and a software client for dual-mode handsets with Wi-Fi and cellular capability. Calls made in range of a WLAN will be routed as an IP call to save on cellular charges, but transferred to the cellular network if the user wanders out of range.

“Roaming is done automatically – it’s seamless and doesn’t depend on the carrier,” said Luc Roy, vice-president of product planning at Siemens Enterprise Communications.

The appliance is able to effect a seamless handover by setting up a second call, then switching the user over before disconnecting the first call, explained Roy.

“As soon as the handset detects the WLAN and authenticates, HiPath knows that the user is reachable via WLAN. If the user is in the middle of a call, it recognises this, bridges the call and terminates the cell call,” said Roy.

The client runs on Symbian OS and Windows Mobile dual-mode handsets. Siemens has so far certified Nokia’s E60 and the Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox handsets, but is working to add others.

Companies need a SIP-compliant IP gateway or PBX plus a WLAN capable of supporting voice traffic to support the HiPath appliance, which costs €5,000 (£3,360) for a 10-user licence. It is also available for 250 or 1,500 users.