Siemens Communications Inc. announced HiPath MobileConnect to provide support for dual-mode calling between Wi-Fi and cellular networks on a single handset. MobileConnect includes server hardware that sits between an IP-PBX voice switch and wireless LAN, and a dual-mode handset software client, said Luc Roy, vice president of product planning for the Siemens mobile enterprise division.

Pricing for the hardware appliance starts at about US$6,600 and the client software is free.

In separate news, Nortel Networks Corp. announced voice capabilities, advanced security and location tracking in the latest version of its Wireless LAN 2300 Series switch, according to Kyle Klassen, director of enterprise wireless marketing at Nortel. Pricing starts at $600 per access point (AP), with a minimum of 10 APs, he said.

The new 2300 Series version, release 5.0, which ships March 2, is already in production use at one of two buildings at the ProMedica Health System campus in Toledo, Ohio, said Cary Gene Houck, senior network engineer for the medical facility. It is being used by doctors and other health professionals and office workers. While one building is running the new version, the other is running an older version, he said.

The new software has been used successfully for about a month to support secure guest data access to the Internet and will support voice over Wi-Fi capabilities when new handsets arrive sometime after July 1, according to Houck. The wireless LAN has proven invaluable for doctors carrying handhelds who need updates on the condition of patients, he said.