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Zyxel Announces VoIP Enabled Smartphone

Zyxel Communications UK, the UK subsidiary of the broadband access solutions specialists, has announced the UK launch of its converged WiFi/GPRS/GSM quad-band V660 Smartphone with built-in VPN support.

The phone will enable SMBs and consumers to make and receive calls whether via voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN), fixed or mobile through one single device, whilst also providing access to email, web, and instant messaging services.

The V660 is powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile Edition 5.0 and combines form and function with its 1.9-inch display. The mobile phone also includes a 2.0 megapixel camera, video and MP3 player, 64mb on-board memory, a MicroSD expandable memory slot for further storage capacity and comes with Skype software pre-installed.

The network neutral V660 smartphone is an open platform system that can integrate freely with any IP telephony service and/or mobile provider and can be loaded with any Microsoft Mobile compatible software. Skype provides SMBs and consumers with access to free calls to Skype accounts, whilst also offering discounted calls to landlines.

The V660 routes calls based on network availability, optimising cost and quality of service (QoS). The V660 will automatically hunt for an open access WiFi hotspot and includes standard encryption methods including WPA/WPA2/TLS as well as Virtual Private Network (VPN) support ensuring secure VoWLAN calls. The phone can be configured as required providing SMBs and consumers with a hassle free, flexible approach to mobile communications.

The V660 provides access to a range of Microsoft applications including Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and Pocket Outlook for push email, calendar and contacts. Microsoft ActiveSync provides a platform for transferring data to and from the device to ensure compatibility. In addition the V660 will support Microsoft Office Mobile enabling access to applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Pocket MSN gives users of the Smartphone device straightforward access to MSN services including MSN Hotmail, MSN Messenger and MSN Alerts, allowing employees to communicate using MSN Messenger regardless of where they are, whilst also providing real-time updates of MSN Hotmail messages.

“The growing army of mobile workers is placing businesses under increasing pressure to provide a single device to replace the many that currently occupy our bags and pockets,” said Rob Mackinnon, VoIP product manager Zyxel. “Whilst most technical innovation creates as many problems as it solves, the V660 combines a myriad of devices and ensures that SMBs and consumers alike always have instant access to the world’s sources of information and entertainment.”