Hilversum, 22 April 2010 – NEC Unified Solutions today announced that it is integrating award-winning location tracking technology from Ekahau Inc., the performance leader in Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location Systems (RTLS), on the range of DECT handsets developed by NEC Corporation. With the addition of Ekahau RTLS to DECT handsets, users will be able to accurately locate and track those handsets that are in the coverage area of an NEC IP DECT infrastructure.

Ekahau pioneered the use of standards-based Wi-Fi networks for enterprise-grade applications that track assets and people. In use for tracking Wi-Fi-based devices since 2002, Ekahau is now extending its RTLS solution into other mainstream enterprise wireless technology, including DECT handsets. Regardless of the wireless technology, Ekahau offers the same location accuracy, real-time performance and other benefits that are available through Wi-Fi-based infrastructure.

“NEC has been a pioneer in wireless communications for many years and has a large user community that includes enterprises, institutions, universities and healthcare centers that rely on our IP DECT technology,” said Bert van Koelen, business manager for Mobility at NEC Unified Solutions. “Combining the accurate multi-AP location detection in our IP DECT systems with Ekahau’s sophisticated RTLS algorithms is a logical next step that provides our customers with additional value by enabling them to add location tracking applications, such as ones for staff safety.”

“The addition of location tracking on DECT wireless handsets was in response to the needs of our healthcare and hospitality customers, who have a large installed base of DECT systems,” said Arttu Huhtiniemi, Ekahau’s vice president of Product Management. “The implementation of Ekahau RTLS onto NEC’s DECT handsets demonstrates the scalability and adaptability of the Ekahau technology. By utilizing standards-based radio technologies, we can expand our system without requiring customers to add proprietary infrastructure or hardware for location tracking”.

DECT is recognized as best-in-class technology for its quality and reliability in mission-critical and industrial environments. The worldwide footprint of DECT technology for enterprises, as well as consumers, is continuously growing – a development that is widely recognized by both analysts and the industry. Building on a very solid base in Europe, application of DECT 6.0 technology is spreading steadily across America and the DECT Forum is successfully expanding the technology into other regions, such as India.

Ekahau’s new solution for NEC’s IP DECT handsets is available immediately. The solution consists of Ekahau RTLS with the Ekahau Positioning Engine V 4.6 (or later) and NEC’s IP DECT version 5.0 (or later) with AP200 or AP300 Series Access Points. The solution supports the full range of handsets that operate with the NEC IP DECT base stations such as I755 and M155 Messenger.

Ekahau RTLS for NEC IP DECT is available from Ekahau. The joint solution is deployed by Ekahau in conjunction with NEC and its partners worldwide. For further information please contact Ekahau.