Linksys Launches Wireless-G Phones

Linksys on Wednesday announced the first of its wireless VoIP phones to work over an 802.11g network. The company says that it plans to introduce more phones in the coming months with the capability that would help spur the burgeoning VoIP industry.

"Voice over IP has clearly emerged as the future of telephone communication and Linksys is leading the way," said Tarun Loomba, director, product management, Linksys. "With the launch of our family of WiFi phones, we can take the technology to a whole new level."

Users would have the freedom to choose which VoIP provider they would like to use with the phone, the company said. Each handset could be configured using the built-in setup or Web browser features of the phones.

The entry-level WIP300 includes SIP v2 support, 802.11b/g compatibility, 1.8-inch color LCD display, backlit keypad, signal strength and battery level indication, and a USB charger interface among other features. The higher-end WIP330 offers a 2.2-inch display, and adds a web browser, Quality of Service support, and support for auto provisioning.

Both models will be available immediately from Linksys' distribution partners, the company said, and would retail for $219.99 and $369.99 USD. Linksys said it expected to launch additional Wi-Fi phone models in the second half of the year.