Siemens to Deliver Voice Component for HomeRF Technology
Worldwide communications giant helps fulfill HomeRF Working Group's commitment
to deliver integrated wireless voice and data solutions

Las Vegas, Nev. — Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Booth #5361, Jan. 6, 2000 — Siemens Communication Devices, a division of Siemens Information and Communication Products LLC, announced at CES 2000 that it will refine and deliver the voice communications element of the HomeRF^TM networking specification. Siemens’ contributions will enable the HomeRF Working Group (HRFWG) to fulfill its promise of delivering high quality voice capabilities, together with data, in wireless home networks.

As a worldwide leader in developing the digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) standard – which is integral to HomeRF – Siemens is poised to be the driving force behind the voice component of HomeRF-based networks.

"Unlike any other wireless LAN standard, the HomeRF protocol provides consumers with very high quality, multi-user voice capabilities for multiple simultaneous phone calls and the best voice clarity available," said Van Baker, vice president of Consumer Platform Research for GartnerGroup.

HomeRF’s unique protocol combines the best of broadband wireless data networking technology with the most relevant digital cordless telephony standard in the world. The addition of the voice communications component from Siemens, a proven technological leader in cordless telephony, makes the HomeRF solution even more compelling.

"Siemens is an ideal company to help deliver HomeRF consumer products with integrated voice and data networking features," says Ben Manny, chair of the HRFWG. "Their engagement and leadership will truly help enable the HomeRF Working Group to accelerate a number of independent market trends including broadband Internet access, cordless telephony, and home networking, opening up the possibility for many new applications and services for the consumer."

Benefits of HomeRF wireless voice and data networking

With Siemens' addition of a voice component to home networks, consumers will enjoy greater convenience and improved quality of life through wireless access to more voice, data, entertainment and interactive services at affordable prices. Installing network services is faster and easier with wireless HomeRF products, and the cost of an integrated wireless network providing both voice and data will be less than that of separate systems for each. Once installed, the integrated HomeRF network will allow easy expansion. End users simply select whatever voice or data devices are needed from a wide range of choices.

Telecommunications service providers will have expanded opportunities to deliver complete voice and data solutions and bundled services, which will accelerate the integration of broadband technologies into home networks. Service providers are also expected to deliver a number of new services especially tailored for integrated home networks.

What is HomeRF?

The HRFWG has defined an open specification supported by more than 100 member companies to deliver a broad spectrum of affordable, interoperable consumer devices capable of both high-quality voice and high-speed data networking. The HRFWG's SWAP (Shared Wireless Access Protocol) specification is the only wireless home networking solution that specifically addresses voice communications in addition to data networking. Applications include cordless voice telephony, in-home distribution and sharing of Internet and broadband services, as well as file and print sharing. Products that can be networked include cordless phones, personal computers, laptop PCs, broadband modems and gateways, "Web pads" for Internet access, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). HomeRF also enables more efficient utilization of network resources, as bandwidth may be accessed and shared among many types of voice and data devices.

Leading companies including Cayman Systems, Compaq, IBM, MobileStar Network, Motorola and Proxim have recently announced specific plans to launch HomeRF products beginning this quarter.

Further developments in HomeRF technology will enable a whole new class of applications, including cordless telephony and data interaction, streaming music and video, and broadband wireless Internet connectivity in airports and other public "hot spots."

Siemens' role in home RF deployment

Siemens joins such key members of the HRFWG as Compaq, IBM, Intel, Motorola and Proxim. It is a principal member of the HRFWG's technical standards committee and will assume a leading role in the marketing committee.

Siemens’ contribution of its voice expertise will allow HomeRF to fulfill its promise to consumers of delivering a solution for wireless voice communications as well as data. Its support extends from helping to define the specification through bringing new types of integrated voice and data products to market.

Siemens’ proven track record

Siemens is a leading provider of DECT-based products, having shipped more than 15 million DECT phones worldwide. Since entering the U.S. cordless marketplace in 1998, Siemens has made an impressive showing appearing in top national mass merchandisers and consumer electronics outlets and winning numerous awards for its full line of DECT-derived 2.4GHz digital cordless systems known as the Gigaset .

"The success of our Gigaset multi-line, multi-user cordless systems for active households and the SOHO market indicates that conditions are ripe for the expanded capabilities of wireless home networking," says Noel Schnell, vice president of Digital Products for Siemens Communication Devices. "With our extensive experience in DECT and cordless telephony, Siemens is uniquely positioned to deliver the needed voice component to the HomeRF specification. Our technological contribution to HomeRF is a natural synergistic move that is beneficial for everyone."

While participating in the development and implementation of HomeRF technology for the networked home environment, Siemens is also involved in standards setting activities with Bluetooth, which facilitates close proximity interconnectivity between cellular phones, laptop computers, printers and fax technology.

For more than 150 years, Siemens has been well-known in Europe and around the world for high quality and finely engineered telecommunications products. Siemens Communication Devices, a division of Siemens Information and Communication Products LLC, develops, manufactures and markets feature-rich, digital cordless products for the North American market.

For more information about Siemens Communication Devices, visit Siemens on the Web at www.siemenscordless.com.