Motorola and Cisco Partner on Wi-Fi / Cellular Integration

Motorola and Cisco Systems announced a partnership to deliver a seamless enterprise mobility solution that will include WLAN IP telephony and cellular phone technologies.


The companies said that by blending key features and benefits of mobile cellular, 802.11 wireless and enterprise fixed networks, the their solution will provide "a single mobile communications device that bridges the physical and virtual-office environments to enable anytime, anywhere communications for mobile business professionals."


Plans include dual-mode cellular and Wi-Fi phones designed for enterprise users. Seamless handoffs would occur between the enterprise WLAN and the cellular telephony service. The solution will be available as an extension to the Cisco CallManager IP-based communications system, utilizing a standards-based interface.


Motorola solution elements will include dual-mode devices and network mobility enabled by their Wireless Services Manager. Cisco will provide IP telephony and WLAN infrastructure. Motorola and Cisco plan to extend the initial solution offering to include additional Cisco CallManager features and deliver the Cisco IP Communications experience to enterprise workers whenever and wherever they are needed.


The initial dual mode solution is expected to be commercially available in early 2006.


"Motorola is strengthening and expanding its enterprise offerings by developing strategic business relationships with leading companies like Cisco to help create a complete solutions portfolio," said Greg Brown, President of Motorola's Government and Enterprise Mobility Solutions business.
http://www.motorola.com/http://www.cisco.com