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Toys Interview - February 2000 - [HTI Home Page] |
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HomeToys Interview The integration of voice and data will allow voice devices, data devices and computers to interact in new ways, increasing convenience and productivity for homes and home offices. Consumers can also look forward to new telecommunications services and new devices specifically designed to take advantage of integrated voice and data. |
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QUESTION 1: How did Siemens become involved in the emerging HomeRF arena?
ANSWER 1: Over the last 18 months, Siemens has successfully entered the U.S. cordless market with a full range of innovative cordless phone systems. Our Gigaset models were the first to operate entirely at 2.4GHz, the first to offer expandability, and the first to support multiple users at the same time. Our business objective is to further expand our position as an innovator in cordless solutions. The growing home networking market presents a logical extension of our technology as the wireless transfer of data and voice become increasingly appropriate for residential applications.
QUESTION 2: What role is Siemens playing on the HomeRF Working Group?
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QUESTION 3: Of the several RF standards committees pursuing their own initiatives, what makes you believe that HomeRF will emerge as the de facto standard?
ANSWER 3: We believe that HomeRF is uniquely positioned to enable and enhance a number of independent market trends including broadband Internet access, cordless telephony and home networking. Unlike any other wireless LAN standard, the HomeRF solution combines the best of broadband wireless data networking technology with the most relevant digital cordless telephony standard in the world. So in addition to convenient wireless data networking, users will benefit from extremely secure, high-quality cordless voice communication with multi-user capabilities.
QUESTION 4: What are the benefits to the consumer of adding voice to a home network?
ANSWER 4: The addition will allow users to enjoy access to telephone lines and broadband services -- for voice and/or data purposes, from anywhere in the home environment.
Additionally, a single integrated voice and data network is both simpler and less costly than employing separate systems for each. The integrated network also offers easy expansion with greater flexibility. End users simply select whatever voice or data devices are needed from a wide range of choices.
The integration of voice and data will allow voice devices, data devices and computers to interact in new ways, increasing convenience and productivity for homes and home offices. Consumers can also look forward to new telecommunications services and new devices specifically designed to take advantage of integrated voice and data.
QUESTION 5: What kinds of home networking products might we expect from Siemens?
ANSWER 5: We're focused on developing a variety of products that will integrate exceptional cordless voice clarity, excellent security and a comprehensive feature set with HomeRF-based wireless home networks. These products will take a number of forms. We will be releasing more specific information soon.
QUESTION 6: What other initiatives are you working on this year besides HomeRF?
ANSWER 6: While participating in the development and implementation of HomeRF technology for the networked home environment, we are also involved in standards setting activities with Bluetooth, which facilitates close proximity interconnectivity between cellular phones, laptop computers, printers and fax technology.
Of course, we've made significant inroads with our line of six 2.4GHz cordless phones, including the multi-line, multi-user Gigasets for the SOHO market. Building on the success of our high quality cordless solutions, we are developing enhanced telephony products for SOHOs and active households.
QUESTION 7: Were there any surprises at the spring CES? What did you think was the most significant announcement / trend at the show?
ANSWER 7: We were pleased but not surprised at CES, which marked Siemens' successful public debut in the HomeRF arena. As we had expected, HomeRF was one of the dominant themes at the show and was of great interest to the consumer electronics and information technology media and analysts. The avalanche of great wireless, cordless and handheld devices announced at the show signifies the continued voice, data and broadband convergence that is driving the wireless home networking explosion.
