NXTcomm: NewStep expands handset support

Fixed/mobile convergence software maker NewStep today announced two major agreements that will expand the handset support for its voice call continuity capabilities. Through an agreement with fg microtec, NewStep’s software will run on Nokia handsets in the Symbian operating system. In addition, NewStep has completed interoperability certification for Paragon Wireless’ latest GSM/voice over wireless LAN dual-mode handset. VCC allows one-button transfer of in-session calls from a wireless handset to a wireline handset or vice-versa, as part of fixed/mobile convergence. “This is a real step forward in handset support for us,” said Craig Gosselin, chief marketing officer for NewStep. “We announced Kyocera a few weeks ago. We do a Windows Mobile client ourselves, but as we anticipated, other providers are starting to build their systems, which are compatible with our voice call continuity. We will see more and more handset compatibility; it’s not just big bulky smartphones anymore that will accelerate the WiFi-cellular handoff piece.” NewStep is seeing the enterprise market take off in advance of the consumer segment, as employers see the benefits of enabling an increasingly mobile workforce to work more productively. Paragon is more focused on enterprise oriented GSM handsets, Gosselin said.