Uni-Tel Is At The Intersection Of Two Of Today's Fastest Growing Technologies: Wireless And VoIP
Which naturally includes the convergence of the two. As such Uni-Tel also should be among the first to launch new products for users of these technologies. Uni-Tel now introduces the first voice-optimized, budding IP-based broadband wireless equipment, commercial SIP-based, dual-mode phone in South Africa.

One of the shortcomings of dual-mode phones available thus far was their relatively short battery life. Uni-Tel has addressed the issue and created a technology that enables system-wide optimization of power management for dual-mode phones. Uni-Tel's dual-mode phone provides 4-hour talk time and 72-hour standby time - even when both radio interfaces are active.

"Our Power Management Capabilities Are Superior To Any Other Dual-Mode Phone In The Market,"
The dual-mode handset, which is designed to allow users to switch between or make calls on their GSM networks and Wi-Fi networks, when in range - for example near a Wimpy, Mugg and Bean or similar Wi-Fi hotspot, for instance. The phone has an inter-access point roaming time of less than 50 milliseconds.

This technology, of course, has potential to be a tremendous cost and minute saving feature for consumers. It also benefits wireless carriers by relieving strain on their networks. It also has the added benefit of being much faster, so users can much more easily use the full capabilities of today's handsets, which include streaming audio and video. Uni-Tel has performed interoperability tests with more than 30 operators and infrastructure vendors.

"We're Proud To Ship The First Commercially Available Dual-Mode Phone In The Large, Sophisticated South African Market," added Wynand Wessels. "South Africa Is Certainly Ready For This Phone, As Is The Rest Of The World."

The phone will also feature a:

• camera,
• audio and video capabilities
• as well as many of the other features that are becoming standard on mobile phones.

Voice Over Wireless Local Area Networks - The Next Big Thing In Telephony.
The technology is called VoWLAN, for Voice over Wireless Local Area Networks. It has been identified by analysts as one of the next big steps in telephony, since it combines the best of cell phone technology with the price and bandwidth advantages that come with routing calls over the Internet. The benefits of VoWLAN technology include:

• Reduced costs
• Use of broadband networks
• Media-rich features such as e-mail
• Web surfing
• MP3 playback
• High-quality photo
• Video streaming.