Telephony LIVE at NXTcomm08

Join us June 16 at NXTcomm08!

Hear keynotes from Dennis Huber of Embarq and Mike DeVito of BT Wholesale plus speakers from IBM, Cavalier Telephone, TDS Telecom and more!

Learn more or Register Now!

DUAL-MODE D-DAY

more on the topic

More Related Articles

“Our predominant asset is our wireline company,” said Tom McEvoy, president of business markets for Embarq. “It's higher quality — you don't get dropped calls — and it's more economical. We're trying to make it simple and easy so customers don't have to worry about which network they're on when they're going in and out of the office. We take care of getting the call onto the most economical, highest-quality network.”

People who use their wireless phones for business may burn up as many as half of their monthly minutes while in offices and conference rooms with wireline phones, McEvoy said. Smart Connect Plus changes that equation by providing a dual-mode handset from UT Starcom that runs software from NewStep Networks. The handset software communicates with additional software running on Embarq's IP network infrastructure, automatically switching calls between the cellular network and the corporate Wi-Fi network when the phone comes within range of the corporate Wi-Fi network.

“The software is constantly monitoring the signal, and as soon as it picks up the Wi-Fi network, it automatically defaults to Wi-Fi,” McEvoy said. He added that the UT Starcom phone has a green light to indicate when it is using the cellular network and a red light to indicate when it is on the Wi-Fi network.

To use the Smart Connect Plus service, customers must purchase cellular service from Embarq, which buys that service on a wholesale basis from Sprint. In addition to their usual monthly wireless fees, customers pay $19.95 or $24.95 a month for the offering. The lower rate is for people who also purchase wireless data service from Embarq.

The dual-mode handset costs Embarq about $400, but customers pay around $150 for it. Embarq technicians handle the task of programming the phones to recognize the corporate Wi-Fi network. “It won't pick up just any hotspot,” McEvoy said, because business customers “only want this working in their location.” Although such programming could be downloaded over the air, Embarq prefers to have the task handled by a company representative who also can train end users while at the site.

Smart Connect Plus builds on Embarq's Smart Connect service, a more simple fixed/mobile convergence (FMC) offering that does not use a dual-mode handset but instead lets customers switch calls from any operator's cellular phone to the corporate Wi-Fi network by pushing a speed-dial button. Smart Connect sells for $9.95 a month when customers purchase cellular service from Embarq or $14.95 a month when they use another wireless operator.

McEvoy noted that Smart Connect is more popular with small businesses. “Smart Connect Plus goes to customers with more of a campus environment, such as colleges and health care,” he said. “Typically they already have Wi-Fi.”

Get Updates Via Email

related resources

popular articles

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

Webcasts

WEBCAST

Which Carrier Ethernet Business Model is Right For You?

Find out! Watch Telephony's LIVE Webcast May 13, 2PM ET/11AM PT. Telephony and IDC examine how various factors impact the Ethernet services business model. LEARN MORE or REGISTER NOW.

White Papers

WHITE PAPER

Addressing Data Integration Challenges with SOA

Read this paper on how SOA (service-oriented architecture) offers tremendous promise to streamline application development and enable productive re-use of existing services. Brought to you by Progress DataXtend. READ

Podcasts

PODCAST

Cloudshield and DPI Technology

Cloudshield's Peder Jungck talks about the "right" way to use DPI and how service providers can change the tenor of the conversation about this important -- yet controversial -- technology. LISTEN

Blogs

BLOG

Not everyone sees the magic in Jack

The success of MagicJack in numbers alone is without a doubt notable. Still, not everyone is singing Jack’s praises. ... READ

E-Books

E-BOOK

READ E-BOOK: MANAGING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

This e-book explains how to keep your customers happy, reduce churn and strengthen profits. Sponsored by CA’s Wily Technology Division. READ NOW!

TV

TV

Mobile Commerce: Driving Change in Mobile Backhaul

What is Mobile Commerce? How exactly does it work? Is it really poised to change the way you go about your business? Tune in to this timely video podcast from Tellabs to better understand this topic. WATCH IT NOW.

  • Telephony Content
  • Telephony Content

current issue

Current Issue

May 5, 2008

A look behind 10 key industry facts and figures reveals some market-altering trends that might surprise you. Read Now

INSIGHTS for
Next-Gen ILECs

Telephony's one-day conference at NXTcomm June 16, 2008 is the only educational and networking event for Tier 2, Tier 3 and Rural Service Providers. Register early for VIP access and early bird rates of $295! The first 40 that register will have the opportunity to attend a VIP luncheon on business valuation.
Learn more or
Register now.

Special Report: IPTV

In Telephony's newest Guide to IPTV, we give you the insight you need to deliver what the customer is looking for, while managing their expectations for future enhancements. Read now.

more news

Global >>

MORE

Ethernet >>

MORE

Independent >>

MORE

IPTV >>

MORE

IMS >>

MORE

WiMax >>

MORE

VOIP >>

MORE

FTTX >>

MORE

Access >>

MORE

Broadband >>

MORE

Wireless >>

MORE

Software >>

MORE

Podcasts >>

MORE

Get Updates Via Email

Browse Issues

  • May 5, 2008
  • Apr 28, 2008
  • Apr 14, 2008
  • Mar 31, 2008
  • Mar 17, 2008
  • Feb 25, 2008
  • Feb 11, 2008