Converged Softphone Cuts Mobile Bills

Techworld reports on the Cicero Softphone that "turns a Windows Mobile Pocket PC device into a dual-mode phone which can send and receive both cellular and Wi-Fi calls through the same dialler." According to the company, the CiceroPhone is the first on the market that can dynamically and seamlessly select which network to use.

Dean Bubley of Disruptive Analysis said, "It's not for hotspot users. It's more for use on the home or office WLAN, where you have a decent quality of Wi-Fi in a decent proportion of building, and don't have to mess about with scratchcards."

"Today's dual mode phones aren't really the size of a phone. DoCoMo has a clamshell, and quite a lot more are coming out," added Bubley.

The market for such converged devices is still in its infancy so it will be interesting to see what kind of traction Cicero gets and whether the carriers will end up supporting it. Methinks not for the short-term...