A Cisco Systems executive on Wednesday showed a Wi-Fi mobile phone to channel partners at the Cisco Partner Summit in Las Vegas and said the device will begin shipping in June.
The phone, which will carry the model number 7920, communicates only with IEEE 802.11b technology and is designed for use within enterprises rather than totally replacing a cell phone, said Charlie Giancarlo, senior vice president and general manager of switching, voice and carrier systems. However, San Jose, California-based Cisco is in talks with cell phone makers about the possibility of adding cell phone capability to such a device, which might carry the Cisco brand.
The 7920 joins Cisco"s 7960 IP (Internet Protocol) phone, which sits on a desk and plugs into a wired Ethernet network, and brings the added benefit of mobility around a building or campus that has a wireless LAN. It uses the same type of interface as the 7960, albeit with a smaller display, and lets users enjoy all the features of the company"s IP PBX (private branch exchange) wherever the wireless LAN reaches. The phone will ship in June at least in the U.S. and will be available in other countries soon after, he said.