May 4, 2001 – HomeRF has moved into first position in the race to combine voice and data in one wireless network.

In a lab demo announced yesterday, a voice call was made to a standard phone line using a Siemens cordless handset and the Voice Data Module (VDM) gateway from Proxim.

Coming next: the same sequence but over broadband cable and DSL platforms.

The announcement marks a 12-month effort by Proxim, Austin; Siemens, Austin, and Siemens, Bocholt (Germany) to bring voice capabilities to the open-industry HomeRF wireless networking platform.

The companies say they will demonstrate integration on top of cable and DSL platforms this summer and hold field trial systems in the fall with broadband service providers.

The test, say the companies, validates HomeRF voice technology "from the silicon through the system architecture." The technology combines four dedicated channels of high-quality digital voice with 10 Mbps data transmissions.

"Siemens and Proxim are proving that high quality, integrated voice and data over a single wireless home network will be a reality in the near future," said HomeRF Working Group chairperson Ken Haase.

Voice-data integration opens the doors for a wide-range of products and services, including applications designed for PCs, web pads and other home and small office network-connected devices. The combo also sets the stage for next-generation services from telephone carriers, home automation companies and independent software vendors

HomeRF is an open industry specification, developed by the Home Radio Frequency Working Group, that allows PCs, peripherals, cordless telephones and other consumer electronic devices to share and communicate voice and data in the license-free 2.4GHz frequency band.

Recently restructured, the HRFWG promoter group includes Siemens, Proxim, Compaq, Motorola and National Semiconductor. Membership in the group represents more than 50 companies.

More about HomeRF can be found at the www.homerf.org official Web site.