(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 18, 2002 ) The Intel Communications Fund, managed by Intel Capital, has announced its strategic funding of companies that are introducing innovative technologies for use on Wi-Fi (802.11) wireless computer networks.

TeleSym, one of those Wi-Fi innovators, brings the advantages of Internet phone calling to mobile computers. The company's SymPhone System is software that enables clear, cost-effective voice communications on wireless mobile computers.

Work anywhere, call from anywhere

Mobile computers and wireless networking are increasingly enticing a mobile workforce to carry more computing power and maintain real-time Internet connection to their company resources and customers. The Intel Banias chipset is expected to multiply that effect, by combining energy efficiency with built-in Wi-Fi wireless capabilities.

"In the course of the next year, wireless connectivity for computers will become the rule, rather than the exception," explains Raju Gulabani, TeleSym chief executive. "At that point, it makes perfect sense to include voice calling as part of every networked device, particularly in the enterprise environment."

The SymPhone System extends the functions of the office phone to any location with Wi-Fi connectivity. Users can make and receive calls over the Internet from a mobile computer (laptop, tablet-PC or PDA), throughout the building or campus, at home and public Wi-Fi hotspots. Wireless factory and warehouse users can also use SymPhone as an intercom or cordless phone, using the same computer they use to access their company email.

For mobile workers in wireless enterprises, the SymPhone System extends the functions of the office phone to a mobile computer like a laptop, tablet-PC or PDA, allowing users to roam throughout the building or campus, into hotspots or home, while making and receiving calls over the Internet. Wireless factory and warehouse users can also use SymPhone as an intercom or cordless phone, using the same device they use to access their company data and emails.

Outstanding voice quality

Breakthrough sound quality distinguishes SymPhone from other telephone systems and "soft phone" Internet calling software. The SymPhone codec uses TeleSym's patent-pending Edge Quality of Service technology, providing high quality without requiring QoS in the network. It can maintain a call, even with 50 percent loss in data packets.

When calling between SymPhone users across the open Internet, the fidelity is "near-CD-quality," with no perceived latency (delay), and this quality is maintained even in the rugged wireless network environment.


"... normal sound for the SymPhone is nothing short of spectacular; it approaches CD quality." - Saurabh Bhasin, Network Computing
"TeleSym's solution, SymPhone, is delivered at the software level and marks a fundamental step forward in the voice-over-WLAN market." - Matt Lewis, Blueprint WiFI, ArcChart

"This is the perfect enterprise solution for companies that have an 802.11 internal network. You can make calls peer-to-peer as well as receive calls directly to your Pocket PC." - Dale Coffing, PocketPCPassion.com

"When companies catch on to the quality, cost savings and efficiencies of SymPhone, expect this to be a must-have add-on for Wi-Fi networks." - Greg Galitzine, executive editor, Internet Telephony

"This could be the killer app... It worked, and the quality was fine with little latency." - Dan Gillmor, Dan Gillmor's Journal

SymPhone was named "Best of Show" at the Internet Telephony Expo in San Diego and "Product of the Year" by Internet Telephony magazine, and received a DemoGod award at the Demo2002 Phoenix conference unveiling new technology products.

The SymPhone System

Three software components comprise the SymPhone System for the enterprise environment, incorporating the TeleSym's patent-pending Edge QoSTM technology:

SymPhone Client software transforms mobile computers-laptops, tablets and PDAs-into phones for computer-to-computer or computer-to-phone calls over wireless 802.11 LANs. SymPhone looks familiar to users, with a dial pad, contact list and intercom features. SymPhone Client runs on Pocket PC devices such as the HP/Compaq iPAQ and industrial devices such as the Intermec 710. A beta version is also available for the Windows laptop environment (Windows XP and 2000).
SymPhone Call Server enables SymPhone Clients to call each other, by providing real-time look-up and call management services. This Windows server software is intended for enterprises that deploy SymPhone Clients.
SymPhone Connector enables SymPhones to make and receive calls on the public switched telephone network. It extends the range of desktop phones for the mobile worker throughout a wireless network -- letting any SymPhone connect with any telephone in the world. SymPhone Connector runs on Windows servers.
User scenarios

SymPhone can raise efficiency, improve service levels and lower costs in a wide range of organizations and work environments, for example:

For retailers, SymPhone brings voice calling right to the sales floor. Convenient roaming anywhere within a store enables customer-service and stocking staff to immediately respond to customer and inter-store inventory queries while viewing and checking the merchandise.
In health care, SymPhone extends a cordless phone capability between hospital and staff, and adds immediate voice calling and intercom capability at any point where computers are being used. A key factor is that many hospitals restrict cell phone use or have poor in-building cell phone reception, a problem alleviated by Wi-Fi 802.11 networking.
In warehouses and manufacturing facilities, one mobile computing device can be used for inventory scanning, process tracking and immediate voice calling, without needing to carry multiple devices or cope with cell phone reception and costs.
On college campuses, faculty, administrators, staff and students all can benefit by campus-wide voice calling using the existing computer networks. The ability to access information on the same device used for voice calls saves additional investment and airtime charges.
Free trial ready for download

All elements of the SymPhone System are available for free trial download at www.telesym.com.

The 30-day free trial of SymPhone Client is available for any user of a Windows-based computer (beta software for Windows XP and 2000) or a Pocket PC 2002 PDA equipped with an 802.11b wireless (Wi-Fi networking). This offer enables free SymPhone-to-SymPhone calls, as well as free SymPhone-to-telephone calls to any Seattle-area number, as well as calling card calls anywhere in the world.

Pricing and availability

SymPhone Systems are available through a global network of wireless and telephony integrators trained in its configuration and installation. A typical business installation, including server software, costs less than $300 per user, exclusive of computers and other hardware. Dealers can be located through www.telesym.com.

About TeleSym

TeleSym (www.telesym.com), Bellevue, Wash., is developing next-generation technology for wireless IP telephony. TeleSym's software delivers high-quality, cost-effective voice communications over wireless enterprise networks, enhancing the ways mobile workers communicate. TeleSym's goal is to become the worldwide leader in advanced software solutions for wireless voice-over-IP.

Media coverage and analyst comments about SymPhone: www.telesym.com/news.php?page=highlights

Media materials, including photos: www.telesym.com/news.php?page=press

Register to download demo SymPhone software: www.telesym.com

TeleSym and SymPhone are registered trademarks of TeleSym Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Produced for TeleSym, Inc.

Contacts:

For TeleSym
Dale Gluck
Hill & Knowlton, Seattle
(206) 728-1100
mobile (206) 856-9064

For Intel Capital
Laura Anderson
Intel Press Relations
(408) 765-6945

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Contact Information:
TeleSym, Inc.
Joseph Nchor
Tel:
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