Real Voice Over GPRS and 3G

Sonim Technologies announced that it will enable Texas Instruments (TI) with real-time voice over GPRS solutions for wireless chipsets including TI's TCS2100 and TCS2500 GPRS Chipsets, as well as the family of OMAP(TM) integrated modem and application processors for 2.5G and 3G handsets.

Sonim's Instant Communications Platform allows the deployment of presence-enabled, instant voice messaging services, such as Push-To-Talk, over wireless data networks.
"Working with Sonim allows us to offer our customers Push-To-Talk functionality across a wide range of wireless handsets that use the TCS2100 and TCS2500 GPRS chipsets. This includes almost every category of device, from a basic feature phone with data capabilities to the most sophisticated convergent smartphones and PDAs," said Tom Pollard, worldwide director of marketing for TI's Wireless Chipset Business Unit. "Given the expected growth of the Push-To-Talk market in North America, we are confident that handset manufacturers will find this functionality compelling."

"This preferred relationship with TI, the world-leader in wireless silicon solutions, provides Sonim unrivalled access to leading wireless device manufacturers. This collaboration enables TI and Sonim to deliver new and compelling services to end-users over GPRS networks," said Sonim CEO and president John Burns. "Most importantly, this relationship significantly expands the footprint of devices that can be enabled with instant communications applications."

For wireless users, Push-To-Talk offers a new means of communicating with one or many individuals at the push of a button on a wireless device. With a Push-To-Talk-enabled wireless device, a user can review the availability of contacts or buddies in the address book, similar to text instant messaging services from companies like ICQ or Yahoo!(TM).

Based on who is available, the user can simply push a button and start a Push-To-Talk dialog in a walkie-talkie or chat room-like mode. Additionally, with the Direct Message Service, a user can select one or many individuals in the wireless device's contact list, create a voice message of any length and send it at the push of a button. As a recipient of a Direct Message, the user is alerted of a new voice message, and can retrieve that message instantly.

"TI recognizes the value of Sonim's solution in providing wireless handset manufacturers and operators with instant voice communication applications optimized for GPRS networks," said Paul Werp, worldwide director of marketing for TI's OMAP platform. "Sonim demonstrates how new services can easily be deployed within the OMAP framework, leveraging the high performance and power efficiency of TI's OMAP processors and wireless chipsets. Most importantly, innovative messaging services like Push-To-Talk will drive users to buy new wireless devices, and that's great news for the industry."

"This partnership will enable innovative, real-time applications on a wide range of devices based on TI's family of chipsets," said Bob Plaschke, Sonim executive vice president of marketing and chief financial officer. "Through our joint marketing efforts in North America, Europe and Asia, we can now fully address the potential of voice over GPRS services like Push-To-Talk, while adding value to the mobile handset community."
Sonim Technologies, which recently announced the closing of $21.6 million in first-round funding, has developed end-to-end Instant Communications solutions that enable wireless operators to launch real-time voice services over wireless data networks. Sonim's standards-based architecture is designed from the ground up to ensure high availability and to meet the requirements of a large-scale deployment.

The thin client/smart server solution provides SIP-based call control and Intelligent Presence management, and leverages an extremely efficient transport protocol based on RTP to deliver high-quality real-time voice over wireless data networks. The Sonim Instant Communications Server supports open specifications for mobile instant messaging and presence services, enabling interoperability with other messaging infrastructure.

TI's OMAP platform is comprised of high performance, power efficient processors, a robust software infrastructure and comprehensive support network of independent OMAP Technology Centers for the rapid development of differentiated 2.5G and 3G mobile devices and other multimedia-enhanced applications. Sonim's Instant Communications solutions are currently offered for TI's OMAP processors and wireless chipsets.