Linksys Introduces 8-Port Analog Telephone Adapter For Connecting Multiple Phones To IP Networks For VoIP Service

From the Spring 2007 VON Show, Linksys®, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc., the recognized leading provider of voice, wireless and networking hardware for consumer, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and small business users, today announced the Linksys 8-Port Analog Telephone Adapter (SPA8000). This new ATA can be used in business and consumer environments where multiple phones require access to the Internet to use Voice-Over-IP (VOIP) service.

When combined with a subscription to a specific VoIP service plan, the SPA8000 turns an existing Internet connection into a high-quality phone line for placing and receiving phone calls. The phone adapter comes equipped with 8 standard phone ports (RJ-11 FXS), 1 RJ-21 25-pin connector offering an alternative connection choice when deploying the ATA in varied environments, and one 10/100 Ethernet port (RJ-45) to connect the ATA to a router or multi-layer switch for connection to the Internet.

“Linksys has been a pioneer when it comes to ATAs for the consumer market with more than 10 million phone ports shipped to date,” said Sherman Scholten, Linksys director of product marketing, Consumer Business Organization. “Building on this history, we feel we can utilize ATAs to support higher density environments like call centers or multi-dwelling environments where upgrading traditional analog phones to IP phones are not an option at this time..”

Large-Scale Deployment and Management
The SPA8000 offers key features and capabilities that can enable service providers to offer customized services to their subscribers. The SPA8000 can be remotely provisioned and supports dynamic, in-service software upgrades. An automated, secure profile upload saves providers the time, expense and hassle of managing and pre-configuring or re-configuring customer premise equipment (CPE) for deployment.

With the latest firmware update in place, the SPA8000 provides additional features, including:

IP Media Loopback
SIP over TLS
Register Retry Enhancements
DHCP Renewal on timeout

Pricing and Availability
The Linksys 8-Port Analog Telephone Adapter (SPA8000) is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2007 from Linksys U.S. Distribution partners, including Ingram Micro, Tech Data, and D&H Distributing at an estimated street price of $299.99

Authorization from Linksys, and a Linksys Voice Service Provider Agreement is required to purchase these products. VARs interested in selling Linksys Voice products should first apply for Linksys Approved Partner status at linksys.com/var.

Linksys at VON:
Linksys will be highlighting the SPA8000 and a number of other voice products for Service Providers, VARs and small business environments in booth 945 at the Santa Clara Convention Center from March 20-22.