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Polycoms SoundStation2W lets organizations eliminate the clutter of cables by taking the conference room staple wireless.
Released last month, the SoundStation2W uses secure 2.4GHz technology with voice encryption and provides as much as 24 hours of talk time via a lithium-ion battery. The base unit is priced at $699; an upgraded model with longer battery life and the ability to expand its range with optional microphones is priced at $899.
The conference room we use is always cluttered with haphazard cabling. Using the SoundStation2W, I eliminated the cable confusion; in addition, I was able to move conference calls into offices with no analog phone line.
The SoundStation2W uses the companys 2.4GHz World Digital Communications Technology and has a wireless range of as much as 150 feet between the phone and a base station. The base station plugs into any analog phone jack.
While testing the unit, I could get about 100 feet of wireless range with no noticeable sound degradation.
I was also able to start a conference call on my cell phone and then connect it to the SoundStation2W through the headset jack by plugging a provided cable with the standard 2.5mm interface into the unit.
The SoundStation2W features frequency hopping, spread spectrum and 64-bit voice encryption to secure calls. Users can get 80 hours of standby time with the base unit and up to 160 hours with the upgraded SoundStation2W. The unit can be recharged while in use in any room with a portable console charger.
More information is available at www.polycom.com.
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