New technology allows landline calls to be accessed through mobile phones

On Wednesday, TelecomEngine got a chance to visit with Verizon Wireless (Basking Ridge, N.J., U.S.A.) at the CTIA Enterprise and Applications show in San Diego, California to get a demo of their newest piece of technology.
Verizon showcased the Mobile UC Client, a tool that allows a person’s business landline number to be assessable from their mobile phone. According to Bill Versen, director of Advanced Mobile Communications at Verizon, this is meant to leverage existing infrastructure to extend the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) to the mobile phone.
A key feature of this technology was the business identification tool, which allows someone dialing from a personal mobile device the option of displaying their business identify on the caller id of the device they are trying to contact. According to Versen, calls coming from the mobile phone’s business identity are routed through the corportate IP PBX system and display the business number to the caller you are trying to reach. By routing the call through the IP PBX, companies can save all international and intra-company calls.
The smartphone can also be plugged into a docking station on the landline phone, which allows all calls coming to the cell phone to be transmitted over wirelines, therefore not using wireless minutes. Once the phone is plugged into the docking station, it uses the wireline automatically.
The Mobile UC Client can use such wireline features as conference calls, call hold, and transfer capabilities from the mobile phone. According to Verizon, the software can be purchased for $7 per user per month, and can come with an optional docking station for $129.
To date, this technology supports five Android smartphone models, with more to come in the future, according to Verizon.