D-Link today introduced the industry's first flip-style mobile Wi-Fi phone that will ship with a full-featured softphone from TelTel, provider of SIP-based global Internet telephony services, allowing users to make free calls anywhere in the world where there is open Wi-Fi access.

Calls from the D-Link phone are made over the Public SIP Telephone Network (PsipTN) telephony backbone. Weighing only 3.74 ounces in a compact clamshell design, the phone complements TelTel services with built-in features like a clear color backlit LCD display, a keypad with backlight, speed dial, redial, multiple ringtones, email access, volume control and other conveniences.

The D-Link Wi-Fi phone untethers users from their PCs, allows them to call other TelTel users for free, or call non-TelTel users for a small fee. Users also will receive virtually all of the IP telephone services included with the PC version of the TelTel softphone. One of those features is "buddy list synchronization" that allows users to view on their Wi-Fi phone whether their contacts are available to receive a call.

"We see the teaming of the D-Link phone with the TelTel service as a winning combination for both the consumer and small business," said Steven Joe, president and chief executive officer of D-Link Systems, Inc. "It will offer users incredible value by utilizing the only public and open SiP network to make calls anywhere in the world at significant cost savings."

"With so many more Wi-Fi hotspots being added to the network every day - corporate and university campuses, airports, coffee shops and hotels - D-Link Wi-Fi phone calls are a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional landline and mobile telephones," added Jack Chang, chief operating officer of TelTel based in Santa Clara.

The retail price is expected to be $249.99 MSRP with initial shipments scheduled in Q2, 2006.