When it begins shipping during the first quarter of 2007, the new D-Link "V-CLICK" line of phones will feature tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900 Mhz) and 802.11 Wi-Fi (2.4Ghz) access. By sliding a cellular service provider's SIM Smartcard or chip into the V-CLICK phone, the user automatically gains GSM access.
With a simple press of the V-CLICK button, the phone activates or deactivates the Wi-Fi connection that allows users to access websites or an Internet phone service, and enjoy the convenience of reduced communication costs, faster transfer speeds and increased productivity resulting from dual-mode phone access.
The company says that in addition to operating like regular cell phones that communicate within a nationwide wireless network, D-Link V-CLICK phones will significantly reduce cell phone service costs by switching to the 802.11 wireless mode and connecting to lower-cost Internet telephone services.
"D-Link's involvement in dual-mode technology is the next step to evolving wireless phone communication," said Steven Joe, president and CEO of D-Link Systems, Inc. "Similar to our popular flip-style Wi-Fi phone, the V-CLICK phones are open and unlocked.
"We view the V-CLICK phone model as the ideal way for us to meet the ever-increasing demand from both consumers and business for a mobile device that allows for easy transition from wide-reaching cellular services to the much faster Wi-Fi and more affordable VoIP technologies," Joe added. "The market for dual-mode phones looks very promising, and the more than 10 years we've had in researching and developing 802.11 wireless and VoIP technologies make this a natural extension of our product offerings."
The V-CLICK feature is increasingly valuable as many cities continue to invest in metro 802.11 wireless technology designed to turn entire communities into Wi-Fi zones. Standards-based wireless encryption (WEP, WPA and WPA2) built into the V-CLICK phone enables enhanced security of transmission.
