New unified communication system reduces mobile airtime costs for small businesses

BT has announced plans to integrate the BlackBerry Mobile Voice System (MVS) technology from Research In Motion (RIM) with BT Communications Complete (based on the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series platform).

The planned new offering will enable BlackBerry smartphone users to take advantage of wi-fi networks in the office for voice calls. The solution enables users to switch from wi-fi to cellular networks, even in mid-call, allowing small to medium-sized business to reduce mobile airtime costs and be more productive.

Business users will be able to enjoy all the out-of-the-office conveniences of their BlackBerry smartphone – access to contacts, calls, applications and email anywhere – when they are in the office, but without the usually higher mobile airtime costs.

“The solution will enable the delivery of unified communications tools for small to medium-sized businesses, which previously only benefited larger firms,” said Bill Murphy, managing director, BT Business. “Technologies that better integrate key business processes, reduce costs and keep workers in touch with customers regardless of location, help firms to operate more effectively and to be in better shape for the upturn when it comes.”