NTT DoCoMo Inc. announced it is developing the N900iL, a dual-network handset that runs on the third-generation FOMA network and internal corporate wireless local area networks.
The solution targets corporate users and will be marketed though DoCoMo’s corporate business division and its partners, but not sold in DoCoMo retail shops. The handset is scheduled to be available this fall.
Users can receive calls from both networks by setting the handset to dual mode or can prioritize calls from either network. The phone features a browser that allows users to view schedules, Web mail and documents from intranet servers, and includes video and camera capabilities.
The phone also offers benefits among users within the same WLAN. For example, the “presence function,” indicates the status of the called party when a call is made between two N900iL handsets working on the same WLAN network. In addition, users can instant message between two handsets working on the same corporate network.
In other dual-network handset news, Calypso Wireless Inc. said it plans to conduct initial field trials of handheld wireless devices using its patented ASNAP technology, which enables mobile devices to seamlessly switch from a cellular tower wide area network to a Wi-Fi LAN, during the fourth quarter.
To facilitate the goal, Calypso has hired additional staff in its Ohio-based research and development facility, including engineers Doug Batey and Geoffrey Suicer. Calypso separately announced the appointment of Stanford Milnes to vice president of sales for Asia-Pacific.
