Ascom Launches New Voice over Wireless Fidelity (VoWiFi) Communications at HiMSS 06; Adding Performance, Reliability and Freedom of Movement to the Benefits of Voice over IP (VoIP) in the Hospital Environment.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- A new VoWiFi communications system specially designed for use in hospitals and healthcare establishments has been launched by Ascom Wireless Solutions, a leading global provider of on-site wireless communications. The system, which uses the IEEE 802.11(b/g) standard, is being showcased for the first time at the 2006 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HiMSS) show February 12 -16 in San Diego, California.

The new system uses VoIP technology and wireless VoIP handsets to provide complete staff mobility at a low cost, while ensuring high levels of reliability and security. The system offers an integrated personal alarm function; alert messaging, paging and voice telephony with access to a wide range of sophisticated communications services. It integrates easily and economically with existing voice and data networks in the hospital and can interconnect with public networks.

The system includes the Ascom i75 wireless VoWiFi handset, Ascom's Portable Device Manager and Integrated Messaging Server as well as the Ascom VoIP Gateway/Gatekeeper. These can be combined with third-party equipment such as WLAN access points, wireless switches and PBXs or IP-PBXs.

"VoIP and WiFi have become standardized and mature technologies, enabling us to offer solutions that meet the healthcare sector's requirements for reliability, robustness, security and flexibility," said Ascom's Chief Technology Officer, Stefan Bramberg.

"Customers of our new VoWiFi solution will benefit from Ascom's 50 year track record of providing on-site communications systems that allow healthcare practitioners to work more productively and respond more quickly in time-critical situations. They can be reassured that what they are getting is not the latest technology "hype" but a dependable and future-proof system that will provide unprecedented mobility to their staff."

Freedom of movement

For the user, the Ascom i75 handset is a key part of the system. It is compact, robust and easy to use, designed for tough working environments. The i75 puts voice communications, messaging and alarm services at the user's fingertips and keeps them in touch wherever they may be on a hospital site.

The Ascom i75 handsets not only provide voice telephony, they also offer text messaging and can interact with other internal systems such as radiology and laboratory equipment or building management.

The VoWiFi solution can be set up to deliver automated alarms or warnings from diagnostic devices such as heart monitors to the handset. A built-in alarm capability, represented by a red button on top of the handset, means that users can summon assistance very easily. There is also a built-in loudspeaker for hands-free calls.

Any unit can be used as a shared device, by people on shift work, for example. A simple login procedure recognizes the users and loads their individual settings.

Thanks to a virtual SIM, if a handset is lost, its functions can be quickly transferred to a replacement unit as all the user settings including menu, local phonebook and alarm features are stored on a central server.

A choice of batteries offers from 4 hours of talk time with 40 hours of stand-by to 6 hours of talk time with 60 hours of stand-by.

To learn more about Ascom's new VoWiFi communications system, visit Ascom booth 7837 at HiMSS or www.ascomwireless.com.

About Ascom Wireless Solutions

Ascom Wireless Solutions is a market leader in on-site wireless communications for the manufacturing and process industries, hospitals and elderly care, secure establishments, the retail sector and hotels. More than 70,000 systems are installed at major companies all over the world. The company offers a broad range of customized solutions, which enables quicker response through smart integration with existing systems. Ascom solutions can include onsite paging, messaging, alarms, mobile devices, voice and data communications. Founded in the 1950s and based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Ascom Wireless Solutions is part of the Ascom Group.