Duxbury Networking has announced the local release of Netgear's SPH101 WiFi Skype Phone that allows for use of the popular Skype Internet Telephony service in a dedicated device. The attractive white handset is no bigger than a cellphone and sports excellent battery life.
"Traditionally, users would have to use a computer to connect to the Skype network," says Graham Duxbury, managing director of Duxbury Networking. "But now with the Netgear Skype Phone, one can access the service and speak to people anywhere in the world for free without requiring a computer."
The Skype service also offers calls to normal telephones, both landline and mobile, via the Skypeout service for a few cents per minute.
The Netgear Skype phone makes use of available wireless networks for its connectivity.
"The phone easily connects to any open public wireless networks and supports popular security protocols for connecting to secure networks," explains Duxbury. "It can be used in the home, the office, at restaurants and shopping malls or anywhere where wireless Internet connectivity is available - anywhere in the world."
This makes the Netgear Skype Phone the first publicly announced device to enable consumers to make unlimited free domestic and international calls to other Skype users over a wireless network without being tied to a computer.
"The device is also certified by Skype, which means that it has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it conforms to Skype's high standards and will work flawlessly with the Skype network," says Duxbury.
The phone makes use of dedicated Skype software designed especially for Netgear, ensuring the highest quality Skype experience.
This includes an intuitive on-screen menu in clear, vibrant colours. The interface shows saved Skype contacts and their online availability for easy communications, similar to the experience of using Skype on a personal computer. Customers also enjoy an excellent sound quality without sacrificing talk time or stand-by time.
"The use of voice over IP and other forms of Internet telephony are growing rapidly around the world, offering huge cost savings and convenience to users," says Duxbury. "Skype is arguably the most popular free subscription service in this arena. With this device users are not tied to a specific location. It is small, convenient to use and highly portable, ushering in a new era for mobile Internet telephony."
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Established in 1984, Duxbury Networking has positioned itself as a leading specialist networking distributor in the southern African channel. The company has developed solid relationships with leading vendors in the networking, interconnectivity, wireless and convergence technology environments including Enterasys Networks, HP Procurve, Netgear, Proxim and Mitel. It is also well-known for its Duxbury branded modems.
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