Sprint (NYSE: S) announced today that it will begin to market Connection Central(TM), a communications solution that combines the elements of wired and wireless voice and data communications onto one compact platform, in November.
The company's supply chain integration division, Sprint North Supply, signed an agreement with Lake Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inter-Tel, Incorporated (INTL) to be the exclusive distributor of Connection Central in the United States and Canada.
Connection Central is an all-in-one, easily installable unit designed for the home and very small office of one to 10 people. Designed to be a complete voice and data gateway solution, it is the only known product available that integrates a DSL modem, router, complete PBX functionality, voice over IP (VoIP), voicemail, and wireless voice and data capabilities.
Connection Central incorporates the features of an advanced PBX, including a maximum of two public switched telephone network lines, four wired extension ports and an on-board Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications base station supporting six wireless extension ports. The unit supports up to four wired LAN ports and contains a built-in 802.11b/g wireless access point. The on-board DSL modem and router allows many users to share broadband Internet access. In addition, the unit supports next-generation voice over IP (VoIP) services by providing two channels of voice over IP communications.
Brad Clark, vice president of marketing at Sprint North Supply said, "Connection Central is a complete communications solution for small business and residential users. It provides them with all the communication options they need to compete effectively. The unit, which replaces multiple office products with one small, scaleable and easy-to-install unit, offers many of the advantages previously available only to large offices."
Jeff Ford, president of Inter-Tel Integrated Systems, Inc., said, "We are excited about this new, complete office solution for residential and small office users. We are providing small business and residential users with a single integrated solution to manage their traditional voice lines, broadband service and VoIP voice services, along with LAN, 802.11 wireless network, voicemail and PBX functions. We are delighted to have Sprint as our partner to launch and support this product to market in the United States."
Sprint North Supply, a division of Sprint Nextel, is a supply-chain integrator serving network service providers, manufacturers and resellers throughout North America. With expertise in logistics; systems engineering, integration and deployment; and telecommunications equipment, Sprint North Supply offers supply-chain solutions recognized for their innovation, effectiveness and efficiency. Sprint North Supply's logistics network, composed of best-in-class IT systems and a national distribution network with strategically located distribution centers, provides customers with a highly reliable infrastructure to meet a wide variety of supply-chain needs. For more information, visit www.sprintnorthsupply.com.
