Hitachi Cable, Ltd. will start marketing the Wireless IP phone "Wireless IP-5000" on 1 April. This new product is accessible to most SIP* servers employed by domestic telecommunication service providers and server manufacturers. We are making a full-scale entry into the VoIP business by offering our customers various business solutions using a combination of the "Wireless IP-5000" and our own gigabit ethernet switch, the Apresia(R). We expect the sales of the entire VoIP operation for fiscal 2005(April 1, 2004 - March 31, 2005) to reach two billion yen.

The voice communication network and the data communication network had been managed independently until now. However, thanks to lowered costs and advanced technologies in data network operation, voice communication is now becoming integrated into the data communication network. The integration is made possible by an attractive new development called VoIP (Voice over IP), which delivers voice communication via the Internet.
In Japan, SIP (RFC3261) is becoming a standard communication protocol for VoIP. However, conventional IP phones are accessible only to limited types of SIP servers because telecommunication service providers and server manufacturers adopt different methods for SIP implementation.

We have developed and will start marketing an open-style wireless IP phone, the "Wireless IP-5000", which has access not only to particular SIP servers but to a number of other servers as well. We are now conducting verification of its interconnection conditions with SIP servers employed by service providers and server manufacturers.
The IEEE802.11b standard-compliant "Wireless IP-5000" is capable of building a wireless IP phone network utilizing an office LAN environment. The product, which offers the same level (or even better) of operability as existing cell phones, can display short messages and locate phone users.

We expect the "Wireless IP-5000" to act as terminal equipment in offices and operate in conjunction with the IP Centrex service offered by telecommunication service providers, as well as terminal equipment used in combination with SIP servers supported by system integrators. Based on our expertise as a provider of gigabit ethernet solutions and our solid relations with service providers, we strive to offer various workable solutions utilizing a combination of highly developed products. We are determined to reinforce our VoIP operation by helping expand VoIP businesses conducted by communication service providers, SIP server manufacturers, and system integrators.

* SIP - Session Initiation Protocol

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  Photographs of the Wireless IP-5000

Product Features

1. The product offers basic functions similar to existing cell phones.
(1) Memorizes up to 200 addresses (displayed in Japanese using Kanji characters)
(2) Displays short messages
(3) Vibrating alert (telephone, short messages)

2. The product is developed as wireless LAN terminal equipment and has the following functions needed by system integrators.

• PING - to check if IP packet has been delivered to a designated address
• Function for searching wireless LAN access points
• Function for measuring radio signal strength

3. The "Wireless IP-5000" can be set up and supplied power by connecting it to a personal computer via USB cable. The product is designed to work under various conditions and is easy to operate.

4. Specifications