NTT West is coming out with a new phone called the "Hikari Personal Phone" that uses 802.11b to provide IP telephony functions. Sounds fancy. Now if only Sony would introduce something similar for the PSP...

NTT West Japan will release the "Hikari Personal Phone WI-100HC," an 802.11b standard wireless LAN phone, on January 16th. Its price is 17,850 yen.

The WI-100HC is an 802.11b standard wireless LAN phone that supports NTT West Japan's "Hikari Phone" IP phone service that utilizes the 0AB ~ J numbers. Its specifications are the same as an identical product released by NTT East Japan in November of 2005, and it supports the Hikari Phone optional services, "Multiple Channel" and "Added Number (My Number)." A single line can have multiple phone numbers, and multiple phone numbers can be used simultaneously.

Another function includes the ability to transfer device settings and your mobile phone's address book via the WI-100HC's USB 2.0 port. Up to 300 entries can be stored in the handset's internal phonebook. 64/128bit WEP and WPA-PSK (TKIP) are the supported wireless LAN security protocols.

The body size is 43 x 20 x 130mm (W x D x H), and it weighs about 102g. It offers a continuous talk time of 3 hours and idle time of 55 hours, and recharging takes about 3 hours. According to NTT West Japan, they are planning for sale of 1,000 handsets during the year.

Inspired by:
http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/12468.html

Press Release:
http://www.ntt-west.co.jp/news/0601/060112a.html