Hitachi Cable is exhibiting the wireless network capable IP phone, the "Wireless IP Phone IPC5000" at this year's "Wireless Japan 2003" event. Conforming to the 802.11b standard, the phone allows one to talk at places featuring this type of wireless network.

The IPC5000 has a size of 135 x 45 x 22 mm (H x W x D) and a weight of 120 grams. A version supporting the SIP protocol will be presented in September, as well as a version supporting H.323 in December. All are planned to go into mass production before the 2003 fiscal year is over. Since the product on display was only an experimental model, it showed it needed much improvement in total talk time. At production grade, the phone is supposed to have a standby time of 35 hours, and a continuous talk time of 1.5 hours.

A similar product had been presented by Cisco Systems, though varying slightly in IP applications and cooperation with existing PHS networks, both products have the unfortunate bottleneck of battery life. While carrying the IPC5000 on you is certainly not out of the question, it seems that you will also have to take the recharging stand with you when you go.

Hitachi Electric is also presenting the "Throughgate" gateway, regulates phone numbers according the the IP address of each device. Supporting firewalls and NAT, the gateway will allow you to create a wireless network no matter what office you may go to. Of course, this can also easily be added to existing wireless networks. As a low cost phone network solution, the current target audience is SOHO environments.

Sources:
http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/event/2138.html
http://www.hitachi-cable.co.jp/topics/030702/

Interpreter Notes:
1.5 hours of talk time? Keep working, Hitachi Cable. But it's a good idea.