Polycom, Inc., the world's leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, unveiled Polycom HD Voice, a revolutionary technology that advances the most important communication tool in business, the telephone, with unprecedented, lifelike, high-fidelity voice quality. In conjunction, Polycom unveiled the world's first VoIP desktop phone to feature Polycom HD Voice, the SoundPoint IP 650, which raises the bar for business communications with quality, clarity and richness well beyond the capabilities of existing traditional and VoIP phones. Polycom is demonstrating the SoundPoint IP 650 with Polycom HD Voice at the VON Conference Sept. 12-14, 2006 at the Boston Convention Center (VON booth #729).

"The telephone remains the most critical communication tool in business, yet studies show that two-thirds of the frequencies in which the human ear is most sensitive, and 80 percent of the frequencies in which speech occurs, are beyond the capabilities of the public telephone network," said Jeffrey Rodman, co-founder of Polycom and chief technology officer of Polycom voice communications division. "People are accustomed to mediocre phone call quality because there hasn't been an alternative -- until now. VoIP gives us a new network dynamic to deliver a broader spectrum for voice communication and dramatically improve the user experience. Polycom HD Voice smashes the quality barrier of traditional telephony by leveraging broader frequencies and incorporating leading technology developed in Polycom's labs."

Polycom HD Voice solutions incorporate leading technologies that Polycom has developed through more than 15 years in voice communications, including wideband audio, enhanced signal processing, Acoustic Clarity Technology(TM)2 (including next generation technologies for transparent full duplex, echo cancellation, dynamic noise reduction, automatic gain control and microphone management) and specialized system design to deliver unrivaled clarity and richness. This enables better clarity and improved intelligibility of information, which significantly improves comprehension and productivity and reduces listener fatigue.

"Polycom HD Voice represents the next wave in VoIP, showing customers that VoIP communications quality can be vastly superior to that of traditional phones," said Will Stofega, research manager, VoIP Services at IDC. "We have seen how VoIP offers greater flexibility, expanded integration options and long-term cost saving opportunities. Now we are beginning to see how the voice quality and user experience can be much better than we are accustomed to, and there will be no looking back."

"Polycom is delivering the UltimateHD(TM) experience that focuses on all elements of communication and collaboration to provide the best possible quality, performance and overall value to customers," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager of voice communications at Polycom. "Polycom HD Voice sets a new standard for voice quality by leveraging our proven, market-leading technologies. Customers want to communicate more efficiently and Polycom HD Voice is like going from AM radio to CD quality, providing enhanced clarity in communications and collaboration, and ultimately improved productivity. Polycom HD Voice is the third element in our UltimateHD strategy, which also includes currently shipping HD video bridges and an HD video conference recording and streaming server. Next quarter we will add the fourth component, HD video conferencing systems, delivering an unrivaled end-to-end solution."

SoundPoint IP 650 -- the first VoIP phone with Polycom HD Voice

Leveraging the benefits of Polycom HD Voice, the SoundPoint IP 650 desktop phone sets the new standard for IP telephones. The SoundPoint IP 650 with Polycom HD Voice delivers unprecedented voice quality, high performance, and expandability to appeal to all users, including executives who require advanced features and applications, and telephone attendants who need multiple line support and enhanced call handling capabilities.

The SoundPoint IP 650's innovative micro-browser feature gives managers and executive users the ability to access XHTML-based applications, from the latest stock quotes to the weather forecast. The phone's Polycom SIP 2.0 software fully supports Microsoft Live Communications Server 2005 for telephony and presence, and integrates with Microsoft Office Communicator instant messenger client. The phone also features a USB port for future applications.

The SoundPoint IP 650 accommodates six lines in a standalone mode and up to 12 lines or 24 concurrent calls when equipped with up to three SoundPoint IP Expansion Modules, as an attendant console. The phone supports shared call/bridged line appearances that enable effective phone interaction between executives and administrative assistants and the busy lamp field (BLF) functionality that allows phone attendants to monitor the on-hook and off-hook status of key contacts and dispatch incoming calls for those contacts more efficiently.

The SoundPoint IP 650 delivers all of its capabilities through an intuitive user interface, featuring a high-quality, backlit 320x160 graphical grayscale LCD display, an easy-to-navigate menu, and a combination of twenty- six dedicated hard keys and four context-sensitive soft keys for one-button access to essential telephony features. The phone is easy to install and set up, with a two-port Ethernet switch, built-in auto-sensing Power over Ethernet circuitry, and can be centrally provisioned and upgraded from an FTP, TFTP, HTTP, or HTTPS server.

Pricing and Availability

The SoundPoint IP 650 will be available for order in Q4 2006 in most countries around the world for a MSRP of US$449 through Polycom certified VoIP resellers.

Polycom reserves the right to modify future product plans at any time. Products and/or related specifications referenced in this press release are not guaranteed, and will be delivered on a when and if available basis.