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Research In Motion (RIM) demonstrated its first handheld in years to do without a cellular component last fall. The BlackBerry 7270 (see image) could still make phone calls and exchange data, but instead of using a GSM or CDMA network, the new handheld accomplished these through Wi-Fi.

The company developed the 7270 so on-premises workers could stay connected when they're away from their desk and wherever their organization deployed a WLAN. Since the 7270 completely nixes a cellular component, RIM conveniently bypasses the thorny issues surrounding Wi-Fi/cellular convergence. (see Seamless WLAN/Cellular Convergence on the Far Horizon).

Although RIM is still beta testing the 7270, it announced partnerships with 3COM and Nortel Networks to separately provide underlying technology to enable Voice over IP (VoIP) (define) for the handheld. The companies demonstrated these solutions at VoiceCon 2005 in Orlandao, Florida this week.

3COM and Nortel both offer Session-Initiation-Protocol (SIP) compliant servers and switches that can be tied into existing PBX telephony. As a result, 7270 users will be able to access their corporate voice and data networks, in addition to outside voice systems.

The objective is for on-campus employees to use their always-on BlackBerry applications, such as e-mail, VoIP, browser, and organizer in conjunction with the BlackBerry platform's regular connectivity features, including push-based services and back-end integration.

The Yankee Group asserts alliances like these demonstrate the need to address the mobility requirements of on-premise workers inside the enterprise.

The analyst firm's VP of enterprise infrastructure Zeus Kerravala comments, "Instant access to your voice and data communications from one device has gone from a 'nice to have' to a 'must have' and it has become incumbent for enterprises who want their associates to be productive to find ways to use this type of technology moving forward."

No timetable was given for the delivery of either the Nortel or 3COM based BlackBerry VoIP solutions, let alone the BlackBerry 7270 itself.