Embarq ushers in true convergence

Late last month Embarq delivered on its strategy to bring fixed/mobile convergence to the marketplace. The company announced the launch of Smart Connect, a service that allows the seamless transfer of calls between a business' wireless and wireline networks.

Embarq launched the service in Las Vegas, Orlando and Charlottesville, Va. Running in those areas since June 5, it is now generally available. Embarq's phased rollout will next target Fayetteville, N.C., Mansfield, Ohio, and Ft. Myers, Fla.

“When we put this product together, we were thinking of campus environments and large customers, but we are seeing quite a bit of demand at the low end, too,” said Tom McEvoy, president of business markets for Embarq.

Smart Connect comes in two flavors. The advanced feature known as Smart Connect Plus enables calls to automatically move between the Embarq wireless network and an on-premise Wi-Fi network. Because in-building coverage is generally stronger, the Starcom Pocket PC 6700 — currently the sole device supporting the new service — will prioritize a company's Wi-Fi network and switch automatically when the signal is stronger.

Pyramid Research reported in 2005 that 50% of wireless minutes were used inside the confines of a business and within close range to a users landline phone. “Now the business customer gets savings going to a more economic wireline network. And they get the flexibility to move calls to make sure they have the highest-quality network and avoid dropped calls.” McEvoy said.

The basic service will work with any wireless operator and any wireless device. It lets business users transfer calls from their wireless phone to their landline phone without delay with the push of a single button.

The capability was developed in conjunction with NewStep Networks. NewStep's Converged Services Node supports and enables FMC through a series of solutions called FlexConnect, Enterprise Mobility and Total Mobility. These products support the one-button transfer capability and single-number service that are key to Embarq's new service.