Cordless telephony is likely to become a hot topic in the enterprise VoIP market over the next year, according to Mark De Clercq, product marketing manager at SiTel Semiconductor. And that should bode well for SiTel considering De Clercq says his company's biggest achievement this year was the successful introduction of its VoIP platform for enterprise solution, namely wired desktop VoIP phones that can be extended with cordless telephony for greater mobility in the enterprise.

 

De Clercq took time recently to discuss the SiTel Semiconductor’s business and expectations for coming year. SiTel Semiconductor will be in exhibitor at the upcoming INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO West in Los Angeles from Sept. 16 to Sept. 18.

What has been your company’s biggest achievement in 2008 so far?

Our company's biggest achievement this year was the successful introduction of its VoIP platform for enterprise solution, namely wired desktop VoIP phones that can be extended with cordless telephony (DECT (News - Alert) CAT-iq and DECT 6.0 handsets and headsets) for greater mobility in the enterprise. This same platform can also be used for ATAs and VoWiFi handsets making it an extremely versatile and powerful tool for VoIP product manufacturers and their design houses.

We were also able to demonstrate part of this platform in collaboration with Redpine Signals (News - Alert) what we believe to be the first VoWiFi handset phone call in the industry using the 802.11n single-thread (1x1) protocol.

What can we expect to see for from your company for the next 12 months?

In the next 12 months, you can expect SiTel to extend its offering of VoIP solutions in the enterprise as well as the consumer markets. Specifically for the enterprise, SiTel will be focusing on enhancing the worker mobility experience through cordless telephony.

How do you see the communications market evolving?

I believe that the technology convergence that has started a few years ago will continue and the features such as GPS and WiFi, which are now being offered exclusively in high-end model phones and smartphones will trickle down to lower-end models. Most importantly, the biggest revolutions will come in the area of user interfaces and next-gen wireless technology (WiMax and LTE (News - Alert)).
       
In the enterprise, with the acceleration of the introduction of VoIP systems, unified communications with its ability to deliver more services to the workers and improve their efficiency will play a bigger role and will accelerate the roll-out of such systems globally.

What company made the biggest contribution to communications this year?

Apple. When Apple launched the iPhone (News - Alert) nobody believed that it could capture 1 percent of the smartphone market within one year. Now that this is becoming a reality, companies are starting to see the threat and are reacting to it. This was a great wake-up call for the whole industry.

How has Google (News - Alert) changed our markets?

Google hasn't impacted our market directly yet. Until now, it has made it easier to find data and information. With the launch of Android, this might change and the impact of Google on our market might be great. We will have to wait and see how the products based on Android will fare in the market.

How about Apple?

Since its inception, Apple has been a driver in shaping the PC and MP3 player markets with the early adoption of (r)evolutionary technologies in its products (WiFi, Firewire, etc) and through its simple user interfaces and elegant designs. At each count, companies shuffle to come with products that rival and better Apple's. With the iPhone, Apple has provoked the same reaction in our markets and this can only be good news.

What mobile phone(s) do you use?

Samsung D900 for personal and Nokia 6021 for business use.

Who will win in an Apple/RIM war?

Luckily, Apple is still focusing on the consumer market while RIM is more enterprise-centric. Should they every decide to go after each other's markets, I think each company would win in its respective market; Apple in the consumer market, RIM in the enterprise market

What do you think the communications market might look like in five years?

With the advent of next-generation wireless standards such as WiMax and LTE, five years down the road, I believe that we will see a tremendous increase in smartphones and smartphone-like devices being used for all kinds of tasks from managing our personal and professional lives to making phone calls, emailing, browsing the net and managing our digital data,

What will attendees see in your booth at ITEXPO this September?

Attendees will get a chance to see how mobility can be enabled in the enterprise through the use of cordless telephony. A desktop VoIP phone and an ATA, both enabled with cordless telephony will be on display for demonstration purposes. An 802.11n single-thread (1x1) VoWiFi handset will also be available.

What sorts of companies should come to your exhibit?

VoIP product manufacturers and design houses that are focusing on the development of desktop VoIP phones and ATAs that can be extended with cordless telephony (DECT CAT-iq and DECT 6.0) handsets and headsets, and 802.11n VoWiFi handsets

Why should customers choose your company’s solutions?

SiTel is a leader in cordless telephony and VoIP IC solutions. Combining our expertise in these domains, we enable our customers to cut the wire on their products and use cordless handsets and headsets with their desktop telephones and ATAs. SiTel should be a logical choice for any company looking to develop products that increase the mobility and therefore productivity of workers in the enterprise environment.

Please make one surprising prediction for 2009.

Cordless telephony will become a hot topic in the enterprise VoIP market.