D-Link, the leading end-to-end networking solutions provider for consumers and business, introduced the industry's first flip-style mobile Wi-Fi phone that will ship with a full-featured softphone from TelTel, provider of SIP-based global Internet telephony services, allowing users to make free calls anywhere in the world where there is open Wi-Fi access.

Calls from the D-Link phone are made over the Public SIP Telephone Network (PsipTN) telephony backbone.

Weighing only 3.74 ounces in a compact clamshell design, the phone complements TelTel services with built-in features like a clear color backlit LCD display, a keypad with backlight, speed dial, redial, multiple ringtones, email access, volume control and other conveniences.

The D-Link Wi-Fi phone untethers users from their PCs, allows them to call other TelTel users for free, or call non-TelTel users for a small fee. Users also will receive virtually all of the IP telephone services included with the PC version of the TelTel softphone. One of those features is "buddy list synchronization" that allows users to view on their Wi-Fi phone whether their contacts are available to receive a call.

"We see the teaming of the D-Link phone with the TelTel service as a winning combination for both the consumer and small business," said Steven Joe, president and chief executive officer of D-Link Systems, Inc. "It will offer users incredible value by utilizing the only public and open SiP network to make calls anywhere in the world at significant cost savings."

"Combining D-Link's new Wi-Fi phone with TelTel's growing volume of services will allow people the freedom to roam and take full advantage of Internet phone connectivity without the high cost of traditional telephony offerings," added Jack Chang, chief operating officer of TelTel based in Santa Clara.

"With so many more Wi-Fi hotspots being added to the network every day -- corporate and university campuses, airports, coffee shops and hotels -- D-Link Wi-Fi phone calls are a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional landline and mobile telephones," Chang said.

The latest research by the Forrester Group indicates that nearly five million households will be using VoIP Wi-Fi phone services by the end of this year.

Scheduled for shipment this summer to D-Link's vast network of retail outlets, the D-Link phone (DPH-540) carries a suggest retail price of under $300.

D-Link's products and TelTel's services will be on display in Booth 1319 at the San Jose Convention Center, site of the annual Spring Voice Over Network (VON) Conference and Exhibition at the San Jose Convention Center March 15-17.