Fixed Mobile Convergence

Sprint has announced today the availability of Sprint (News - Alert) Wireless Integration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. This integrated mobility solution is designed to deliver fixed mobile convergence to businesses on the Now Network.

Sprint Wireless Integration extends customers’ Cisco (News - Alert) Unified Communications Manager functionality to Sprint mobile phones to provide productivity, cost efficiencies and greater control of mobile devices.

 

"Sprint Wireless Integration takes convergence to a whole new level," said Dan Dooley, president of Wireline, Sprint, in a Monday statement. "It not only converges your desk and mobile phones, but it allows all calls within your enterprise to be "on-net." No other solution in the marketplace offers this kind of convergence.

 

"This is a great example of Sprint leveraging our core wireline and wireless assets and working with best-in-class partners to deliver a unique and compelling solution to our customers that no other competitor can match," added Dooley.

Delivered using the Spring IP Multimedia Subsystem (News - Alert) (IMS) architecture, Sprint Wireless Integration minimizes equipment required on the customer premises while also allowing for intelligent routing and “on-net” calling capabilities nationwide.

The solution relies on a customer’s existing Cisco Unified Communications (News - Alert) Manager, Cisco Unified Internet Protocol (IP) phones, and a Cisco Unified Border Element. A Sprint Global MPLS connection provides connectivity directly to Sprint’s IMS Core, thereby allowing Spring CDMA phones (3G) to be fully integrated into the Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

 

Sprint Wireless Integration is designed to target a minimum of 100 users, while providing the business enterprise the opportunity to minimize capital costs. It also allows customers to pay only for the service they use.

 

"We're constantly in motion as we go through our day from workspace to workspace," said Steve Slattery, vice president and general manager of Cisco's IP Communications Business Unit, in the Monday statement.

 

"Customers using Cisco Unified Communications Manager with Sprint Wireless Integration leverages Sprint's unique wireline and wireless assets to collaborate, enhance productivity, and reduce operating costs through on-net dialing."

Abbreviated dialing from the mobile device is possible with Sprint Wireless Integration. Calls are transferred seamlessly and transparently between devices in a user’s workspace. This provides businesses with numerous ways to save on telecom expenses.

Key benefits of the solution include: leveraging existing assets; reducing trunks; extending classes of service; tracking mobile calls; and increasing flexibility. End user benefits include: simplified dialing; one phone number and one voicemail; a simple user interface; and mid-call transfer.

As Sprint continues to struggle in this economy in turmoil, the company is constantly searching for innovative strategies that will enable it to expand its base and secure increased opportunities for residual revenue. By offering a solution that enables the company to leverage current assets, improve efficiency and productivity, Sprint is putting itself in a strong position to drive adoption and hopefully – revenue.