Today's announcement augments Polycom's distribution channels to include 3Com's network of resellers and distributors, including a worldwide community of service providers who offer both IP trunking and hosted VoIP services. Today's news also adds to 3Com's portfolio Polycom's HD Voice lineup of phones, which enrich the customer communications experience with high definition voice quality that quadruples that of traditional landline phones.

"The combination of 3Com's strong distribution network with Polycom's voice technology expertise makes this the ideal solution for our customers," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager of Voice Communications for Polycom. "Our voice solutions will bring the richness of HD Voice quality to 3Com customers, affording them crystal clear communication that greatly improves productivity.

We also share a vision with 3Com of providing open, non-proprietary solutions to our customers. And with the addition of 3Com as a strategic distribution and technology partner, we look forward to deepening our relationship by expanding our efforts into key areas such as wireless and business productivity applications."

Polycom phones will be seamlessly integrated with all 3Com VoIP platforms, including the newly announced 3Com(R) VCX(TM) Connect 100, VCX Connect 200 and 3Com Asterisk Appliance, as well as its existing 3Com VCX Enterprise system, including a 3Com IP Telephony Solution for IBM System i. 3Com's family of IP Telephony servers are used by companies of all sizes worldwide.

"The addition of Polycom's voice solutions to our portfolio of 3Com IP telephony solutions and handsets will enable us to offer customers a wide range of choices to meet their unique communications needs," said Bipin Mistry, vice president of 3Com's voice business. "Coming on the heels of our introduction of the new 3Com VCX Connect platforms and the 3Com Asterisk Appliance, this partnership means that organizations with as few as five employees will enjoy the same robust VoIP offering as those with thousands of employees.

The co-branded 3Com/Polycom phones will be generally available for purchase through 3Com North American channels beginning in November 2007 and are expected to be available on a worldwide basis no later than Jan. 1, 2008.

Source: PR Newswire