Linksys targets really small VoIP IP-PBX Market

I had word a few weeks ago about Linksys targetting the really small business market (1-4 users, with expansion to 16 users) with an IP-PBX called the SPA9000 that uses VoIP trunking via a service provider. I had to keep it under wraps though. Their Linksys One product that I wrote about recently targets the larger SMB market (more users). According to Karen Sohl, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications for Linksys, "This new line is just voice not Data and voice like Linksys One. The new line of voice products are for the 1-4 user with room to grow to 16 environment. While Linksys One is 5-50 with room to grow to 100."

Essentially Linksys is reaching out to ITSPs today to work towards deals to deploy SIP-Based IP PBX, Phones and Gateways to residential and very small business customers. Linksys plans to engage with as many ITSPs world wide to work toward a bundles to offer VoIP services and hardware for a full fledge VoIP network in the home or small business. I believe MCI is the first service provider to come aboard.

This new VoIP offering from Linksys will be an alternative solution to land-line service while offering all the phone functionality found in business phone networks today such as voicemail, online services, call forwarding, multi-lines and much much more.

As previously stated, the new line of SIP-Based IP products will be available to the market in the coming months as ITSPs work with Linksys on the roll out plan and as a completed IP-PBX system will be targeted to environments of 1 to 4 users with room to grow to 16. The phones work with the IP-PBX or in an IP-Centrex model with ITSPs to deploy services out to the home or business customers.

With this line and the Linksys One hosted voice and data solutions, Linksys and Cisco are now able to target all segments of the market. Linksys with 1-16 Market, Linksys One with 5-100 and Call Manager and Call Manager Express targeting SMB and Enterprise. I have some further thoughts, but wanted to share their news first.


LINKSYS ANNOUNCES SIP-BASED IP PBX, DESKTOP PHONES, AND GATEWAY FOR INTERNET TELEPHONY SERVICE PROVIDERS

IP PBX and Phones Enable Service Providers to Deploy Residential and Small Business Phone Systems with Big Business Features and Functionality


IRVINE, Calif. January 5, 2006 Linksys®, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc., the recognized leading provider of voice, wireless and networking hardware for the consumer, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and small business markets, today announced a new line of SIP-based telephony products for Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSPs) targeting large residential, SOHO and very small business customers. The new line of IP communication solutions includes an IP PBX/Key system, a wide range of IP desktop phones and an Analog Gateway for connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network. Used together with an ITSP voice service, they provide a complete IP telephony system for up to 16 users.

According to AMI research, there are more than 35 million small businesses world wide. 56% of these businesses have 1 to 4 users, and another 11.8% have 5 to 19 users. The new Linksys IP telephony products target this market segment. ITSPs focusing on the higher-end of the residential market, or the lower end of small business market can deploy services on this platform to help customers save money by using the Internet to make telephone calls.

"With the new Linksys SIP-based IP communication offerings, ITSPs can offer residential and small businesses a voice service with many of the features found in large business voice IP networks, such as multi-line service, music on hold, auto attendant, and more at a more affordable price," said Jan Fandrianto, vice president of voice engineering at Linksys. "The new IP PBX and IP phones bundled with a service provider offering will make the deployment of voice networks easy to install and simple to use at a price small businesses can afford."

This new solution will complement the recently announced Linksys One solution. Linksys One is an ideal solution for small business with 5-100 users needing a complete communications solution that addresses voice, video, and applications. The LVS series was developed to address the residential and very small business of 1-4 users that may grow to 16.


The Linksys SIP-Based IP Products include:
Linksys IP PBX: SPA9000
The Linksys IP PBX lies at the heart of the telephony solution, delivering advanced, multi-line features commonly found in enterprise telephone networks. With the Auto Attendant feature, small businesses with up to 16 users can customize their voice network to direct calls to the right person or department and program the system to allow on and off business hour greetings. A promotional message can be created to greet or provide information to callers placed on hold, or pipe in the music of choice. The system also allows users to park calls, fax over the Internet and use the intercom for paging. There are over one hundred telephony features built-in. Out of the box, the SPA9000 supports up to four (4) users. Via a software license key upgrade, up to sixteen (16) users can be supported. Details can found at www.linksys.com.

Software Functionality
Configuration Server
SIP Proxy and Registrar Up to 16 Users
Application Server
Media Proxy
ATA via 2 Onboard RJ11 FXS Ports
Hardware Interface Functionality
Two Phone Ports:
Analog Telephone
Fax Machine
Two Ethernet Ports
LAN Connectivity
Call Traffic and Signaling Routing
IP PBX Features
Automated Attendant
Reduce Call Load On Receptionist (No Receptionist)
Professional Welcome for All Callers
Single Number Access to All Employees
Guaranteed Call Completion
Fast, Easy Set-Up and Maintenance
Automatic Call Distribution / Routing
Bridged / Shared Line Call Appearance
Call Transfer
Call Forwarding
Local and Corporate Directory
Call Pickup
Group Paging
Intercom
Call Hunt Groups
Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and Voice Mail Integration with ITSP
Music on Hold
Do Not Disturb
Three Party Conference Calling
More features can be found at www.linksys.com

Linksys IP Desktop Phones: SPA901, SPA921, SPA922, SPA941, SPA942 This new line of affordable IP desktop telephones provides a wide variety of phone options for small businesses. Choose phones with one or two Ethernet ports, 1, 2, or 4 extensions, optional Power over Ethernet functionality, or the cost-conscious, durable no-display model. These telephones work with all SIP-based IP Telephony solutions, but when used with the SPA9000, the phones install in minutes, automatically configuring themselves with business features set by the Service Provider. With an optional Wireless-G Phone Bridge (WPB54G) users can install phones in hard-to-reach places without running cables. The line of Linksys IP Desktop phones can also be used in conjunction with leading SIP application server platforms to provide an IP Centrex service model for service providers looking to provide PBX/Key system features to small businesses.

Model Ethernet Ports # of Extensions Display
SPA901 1 1 None
SPA921 1 1 Monochrome
SPA922 2 with PoE 1 Monochrome
SPA941 1 2, upgradeable to 4 Monochrome
SPA942 2 with PoE 2, upgradeable to 4 Monochrome

Linksys Analog PSTN Gateway + Phone Adapter: SPA3000 If power is lost to the SPA9000 or Internet service is down, calls can be redirected to a traditional PSTN carrier using the SPA9000 Analog Gateway so service continues without interruption. The SPA3000 can be remotely provisioned and supports dynamic, in-service software upgrades.

One Line FXO Port Provides Call Routing To and From PSTN
Back Up in Case of Internet Access Problems
Back up for Emergency E911 Service
Transparent Migration from Legacy PSTN Service
Optional Routing of Local, Toll Free Calls to PSTN
One FXS Port Provides Connection for Analog Phone or Fax Machine

Service Providers Supporting the SPA9000 Platform

ITSPs currently developing services using the SPA9000 Platform include:

North America EMEA APAC
VoicePulse Telio (Norway) Engin (Australia)
RNK Telecom

Pricing and Availability
The Linksys IP PBX, IP Desktop Phones and Analog Gateway were developed for ITSPs interested in deploying voice solutions targeting large residential or small business customers. Evaluation units are available immediately through Linksys U.S. Distribution partners, including Ingram Micro, Tech Data, and D&H Distributing. Authorization from Linksys, and a Linksys Voice Service Provider Agreement is required to purchase these products.

Estimated Street Pricing for the new SIP-based IP Communication Solutions is as follows

IP PBX
SPA9000: \$ 399.99
SPA9000UPG: \$300.00 (Upgrade license for SPA9000 to support 16 phones).

IP Desktop Phones
SPA901: \$ 89.99
SPA921: \$ 119.99
SPA922: \$ 159.99
SPA941: \$ 149.99
SPA942: \$ 179.99

SPA941UPG: \$30.00 (Upgrade license for the SPA941 to support 4 extensions)
SPA942UPG: \$30.00 (Upgrade license for the SPA942 to support 4 extensions)

IP Analog PSTN Gateway
SPA3000: \$ 89.99

Accessories:
WBP54G: Wireless-G Phone Bridge for Linksys VoIP endpoints: \$ 39.99
PS100: IP Phone Power Supply: \$ 14.99. Optional power supply for the SPA922 and SPA942. It must be ordered separately.
POE5S: PoE Dongle for VoIP: \$ 29.99. Enables PoE on Linksys VoIP endpoints: SPA901, SPA921,SPA941, SPA3000, SPA9000

Internet Telephony Service Providers interested in using the Linksys IP communication platform to develop VoIP-based residential or small business phone system solutions should contact 1-800-LINKSYS and select option 1 for sales.