One phone fits all for big business

BT is expanding its service for converged fixed and mobile phones to include larger organisations.

The company will partner with Alcatel following joint work on the BT Fusion fixed mobile service for small businesses and consumers.

"Large customers told us what they wanted and we have listened," said Steven Evans, chief executive for wireless broadband and future products at BT.

"This new service will harness the power of wireless broadband on customers' existing fixed infrastructures, BT's 21st Century network and a new generation of dual-mode Wi-Fi and GSM mobile phones."

The system will use Wi-Fi in the office and home, and BT Openzone hotspots to connect to the fixed network. Users will have a single handset to work as a mobile, a data device and a fixed phone.

BT claimed that companies will be able to run a common set of applications and calling features across an integrated IP broadband network to help reduce costs and increase productivity.

"Once again, BT will provide its enterprise customers with exactly what they need: a converged cost-effective service that allows employees to be connected wherever they may be," said Monika Maurer, president of Alcatel's fixed solutions activities.

The service is currently being set up and BT expects to run live trials early next year.