Cisco has recently announced that it will provide a dual-mode IP telephony solution with the help of NTT DoCoMo's N902iL FOMA dual-mode handset coupled with Cisco's own Unified CallManager and Unified Wireless Network.

Reportedly, this is the world's first solution to extend the rich office IP communication capabilities to a dual-mode mobile handset by using the standards based Session Initiation Protocol Interface.

The solution will enable business users to enjoy single-number access, a single office voice mailbox, Mobile Voice access and other capabilities. It clearly has many benefits and will most likely boost productivity for employees as well as provide the opportunity to converge and streamline business communications.

"NTT DoCoMo welcomes the support of Cisco Unified CallManager and Cisco's Unified Wireless Network, which are used by many people in the wireless LAN market. This integration was something our customers had requested since the release of our previous model, N900iL," said Hiroshi Sawada, Managing Director of NTT DoCoMo's Solution Business Department. "Our plans are to provide a stable communication environment for the N902iL and with our continued work with Cisco and the cooperation of various companies we will be able to expand the dual-mode IP telephony service."

Employees that are connected to the Cisco Unified Wireless Network will be able to place, receive, hold or forward calls as they would if they were using a desktop IP phone, access office voicemail as well as interact with other IP telephony features on their mobile phone.

Both the handset and Cisco's network support 54MBps WiFi 802.11g and 802.11e that ensures network performance and voice traffic quality service on the wireless LAN. While outside the office, the mobile phone will switch to NTT DoCoMO's FOMA network.