3Com to link telecommuters to office VoIP

Networking gear maker 3Com wants to hook telecommuters into the Internet phone systems they use when in the office.

The IP Telecommuting module, announced Monday, is designed to let remote workers access corporate VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) applications, including conference calls and messages. Employees can make calls through the IP telephony system from places such as broadband-enabled airports and hotels, as well as their homes. And incoming calls into office phones can be redirected to a mobile phone or a hotel room, the company said.

The module, available now, uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) technology.

VoIP networks direct telephone calls over the Internet instead of conventional telephone lines. The lower-cost systems are quickly gaining popularity among businesses and individuals, currently accounting for about 5 million users.

The list price for the 3Com module for 100 concurrent remote users is $80 per user, 3Com said.