BridgePort Networks demonstrated the seamless handover of calls between live GSM and Wi-Fi networks at 3GSM World Congress 2006. Using BridgePort Networks' NomadicONE IMS Convergence Server (ICS) the handover method conforms to IMS technical requirements recently defined by 3GPP, known as Voice Call Continuity (VCC). The E28 smartphones are the first low cost, 'smart phone form factor' dual-mode handsets suitable for mass-market use to demonstrate SIP-based MobileVoIP call handover.

The demonstration results from direct collaboration between the two companies, both members of the MobileIGNITE industry association that promotes interoperability of SIP and IMS based fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) applications. Via collaboration, they have integrated E28's open Linux-based smartphone designs into BridgePort Networks' leading MobileVoIP network solution for service providers. Through the partnership, the companies are together offering service providers a market-ready end-to-end solution for FMC using IMS.

"Until now, all dual-mode device implementations of SIP and IMS based fixed-mobile convergence have used relatively high-cost PDAs with very limited battery life," said Mike Mulica, CEO of BridgePort Networks. "By working with E28, we can offer a true mass market smartphone solution for single number GSM/Wi-Fi voice and data convergence that meets the feature phone pricing, usability, and form factor needs of the consumer market. Together with our IMS core network infrastructure partners, consumer seamless mobility is ready for market trials with realistic phones. With these devices, the cost and volume business case for operators is transformed."

As a smartphone provider , E28 offers Linux Mobile smart information device solutions that can then be customized to meet the service provider’s market needs, including user interface and form factor. The candy-bar phones are tri-band GSM/GPRS (900/1800/1900 MHz and 850/1800/1900MHZ ) and also support Wi-Fi 802.11b. They come with a touch-pad screen and optional key pad, resulting in the smallest size of any comparable dual-mode device. The phones deliver three hours of talk time (on either Wi-Fi VoIP or GSM) and 72 hours of standby time.

The phones also feature multimedia capabilities, including 2.0 M camera, video recording and playback on a 2.2 QVGA LCM , MP3 player, picture address book, PIM functionality, SMS and MMS, web browser (HTML and WAP 2.0), J2ME, email (POP, SMTP, eSMTP) and a T-flash external memory slot. Compared to available dual-mode phones, e28’s solutions have brought to consumers more attractive dual-mode devices with all of the important characteristics of today's single-mode devices in terms of the system stability, ease of use, long talk time/standby time, size, weight, cost and an attractive form factor.