SpectraLink announces its next-generation Wi-Fi telephony handsets, the NetLink 8000 Series Wireless Telephones. The new NetLink 8000 Series handsets are the first commercially available enterprise-grade handsets to support the IEEE 802.11a, b and g radio standards, allowing businesses to choose the most appropriate Wi-Fi implementation for application segmentation, interference mitigation and user density.
The NetLink 8000 Series Wireless Telephones enhance SpectraLink's market-leading Wi-Fi telephony platform with the industry's longest talk times and added durability and resilience for improved reliability in all types of enterprise environments. Additional enhancements include a slim, lightweight design and a larger display screen. Two models are available: the basic NetLink 8020 Wireless Telephone, and the enhanced NetLink 8030 Wireless Telephone supporting SpectraLink's exclusive integrated push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities, now enhanced with 24 PTT channels plus a unique priority channel for emergency broadcast applications.
"I expect that over time VoFi (voice over IP over Wi-Fi) phones will become the norm in most enterprises, replacing traditional desktop wired phones," said Craig Mathias, a Principal with the mobile and wireless advisory firm Farpoint Group (Ashland, Mass.). "The NetLink 8000 Series is a very positive step in this direction, and I'm especially enthusiastic about the inclusion of .11a and .11g, which will significantly enhance capacity."
"SpectraLink has led the Wi-Fi telephony market since 1999, and we continue to be the leading innovator in this industry," said John Elms, SpectraLink president and CEO. "We strive to meet our customers' demand for enterprise-grade functions and quality, and their interoperability requirements for leveraging their wireless and voice networks. The NetLink 8000 Series handsets offer customers even more choice when it comes to deploying wireless communications in the workplace."
The NetLink 8000 Series Wireless Telephones continue SpectraLink's legacy of designing handsets and accessories to meet the rigors of workplace applications. Weighing less than four ounces (depending on handset model and Battery Pack), the NetLink 8000 Series handsets are light yet robust. Key features and capabilities include:
- A simple user interface with four-way navigation and four softkeys to facilitate access to business telephone features and minimize user training.
- Integrated speakerphone for hands-free and wireless conferencing applications.
- Four-, six- and eight-hour talk-time interchangeable Battery Packs to support the most demanding enterprise usage requirements, along with desktop and standalone four-position charging options.
- Support for SpectraLink's Open Application Interface (OAI), allowing two-way text messaging support for a wide array of enterprise applications such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, environmental controls, security and alarm systems, nurse call systems, and database access.
- Compliance with MIL STD 810F standard for shock and vibration and the IP 53 standard for liquid and dust resistance.
- Compatibility with enterprise-grade Wi-Fi networks with interoperability and performance guaranteed through SpectraLink's Voice Interoperability for Enterprise Wireless (VIEW) Certification Program.
- Excellent voice quality on converged Wi-Fi networks utilizing SpectraLink Voice Priority (SVP) or Wireless Multimedia (WMM) (depending on Wi-Fi infrastructure support).
- Secure, private conversations using Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2).
The NetLink 8000 Series Wireless Telephones offer all the benefits of traditional NetLink handsets while offering improved capacity, durability and usability.
Availability & Pricing
SpectraLink NetLink 8000 Series Wireless Telephones will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2007. List price for the NetLink 8020 Wireless Telephone is $595, while the PTT-enabled NetLink 8030 Wireless Telephone is priced at $675.