Adapter enables VoIP calls from telephones

Intel Corp. has announced a new product that allows small business and residential users to make VoIP calls from desktop PCs using existing telephones.

According to the company, the new Intel 600SM PCI Phone Adapter offers a complete solution, including hardware, software and services featuring an analog telephone adapter (ATA) on a PCI card that works with a variety of leading VoIP service providers. Combining the utility of the PC, the familiarity of the telephone and the value of VoIP services, the product creates opportunities to lower phoning costs, increase productivity, improve collaboration and enhance audio quality, Intel said.

Intel said the new device allows PC OEMs and system integrators to deliver a complete, easy-to-use solution for small businesses and residential VoIP subscribers. VoIP subscribers, in turn, can benefit from the increased performance of Intel dual-core technology in PCs. Intel dual-core platforms are suited to handle the performance demands of VoIP applications by improving system responsiveness during VoIP calls while preserving good call quality, the company explained.

"Intel recognized the need for an easy-to-use, cost-effective solution that would help small businesses and residential callers take advantage of VoIP," said Tom Rampone, Intel's VP for Digital Enterprise Group and general manager of the User-Centered Platform Solutions Division. "Many businesses rely on remote collaboration to overcome high costs of long distance calls and traveling. The new Intel 600SM PCI Phone Adapter, together with Intel dual-core technology, allow PC users to bridge the PC to the telephone. This makes using the benefits of VoIP much easier, bringing Intel's vision of close collaboration for the digital office one step closer."

The new device promises that users no longer need to be tethered to their PCs to access VoIP services or be required to purchase additional hardware or software or have technical knowledge to set up and run VoIP. With this new device, Intel said the PC becomes a viable, easy-to-use end point for PC to PSTN calling using a standard analog telephone.

"Intel software is essential to the Intel 600SM PCI Phone Adapter," said Jonathan Khazam, general manager of Intel's Platform Software Division and VP for Software and Solutions Group. "By integrating optimized softphone technology from CounterPath Solutions, Intel provides a total VoIP solution which allows OEMs to quickly deliver phone-ready PCs to their customers."