Desk Phones Here to Stay, for Now

By Sandra M. Gustavsen
Analyst, Business VoIP

There has been a lot of debate about the future of the office desktop telephone. Studies continue to show that more and more employees are coming to work equipped with their own mobile phone and that “bring your own device” remains the general trend. Many market analysts are reporting that desk phone sales are relatively flat or even declining; other industry experts suggest the IP extensions market will grow for some period of time (sales of earlier TDM-based phones will decrease). Statistics from market research firm MZA revealed modest growth (2 percent year-over-year) within the IP extensions/licenses market in fourth quarter 2013. This was followed, however, by a decline of 8 percent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2014.

So, are traditional desktop phones slowly being replaced by the growing preference for mobile devices, or will workers actually require multiple device options, including a desk phone, for the foreseeable future?

Perhaps as generations go by, the desktop phone will become obsolete, but for now, it remains an important alternative. There are still relevant use cases for a traditional hard-wired phones that are “always on” and that can ensure high-quality audio and speakerphone capabilities. Wired phones also make the most sense for conference rooms and common areas like hallways, lobbies or cafeterias where deploying a PC/headset or mobile device is not practical.

As the debate goes on, business communications manufacturers continue to introduce new low-end, mid-range and advanced business telephones. Many of the new entry-level phones come with more sophisticated functionality such as support for Web applications and Gigabit Ethernet. New high-end media phones may integrate a telephone with video and/or Internet content and access to popular social media applications. Some so-called ‘smart desk phones’ incorporate an Android operating system for running Android applications, allowing users to access features and functionality commonly associated with today’s smartphones and tablets.

The large number of new desktop phones introduced so far in 2014 is a good indication that desk phones are here to stay, at least for now. And, sales are good. Alcatel-Lucent reports it has already shipped more than 100,000 of its new Premium DeskPhones which just entered the market a few months ago. More on these phones and other 2014 market entries below.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise’s latest IP Premium DeskPhones are suitable for small and mid-size businesses and mid- to large organizations. Notable features include a contemporary design, wideband audio, high quality speakerphone, integrated Bluetooth support (8068 IP model), add-on modules and accessories, an alphabetic keyboard, navigator and programmable soft keys and access to applications from Alcatel-Lucent’s OmniPCX or OpenTouch communications platforms. All three IP models (the color-screen 8068, the 8038 and the 8028) have built-in dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and support Power over Ethernet, but with varying display types and contextual and programmable keys. Two new digital models, the 8029 Premium DeskPhone and the 8039 Premium DeskPhone, are similar in ergonomics to their IP counterparts.

Digium added a fourth phone model to its D-series IP desk phone family designed for the company’s Asterisk open source PBX software, Switchvox (News - Alert) IP-PBX and Switchvox Cloud hosted business telephony service. The new entry-level, 2-line D45 phone with Gigabit support joins three earlier models in the D-series, namely the entry-level D40 (without Gigabit support), the mid-range D50 and the D70 for executives and administrators. The phones are tightly integrated with the Digium (News - Alert) system, so users have direct access to Asterisk or Switchvox features from the phone for functions like call recording and call parking, visual voicemail, user presence, call queuing information, custom phonebooks, searchable directories and click-to-dial. All D-series phones support HD Voice, multiple line appearances, plug-and-play provisioning, Power-over-Ethernet, context-sensitive soft keys and other popular features.

Grandstream Networks unveiled a new series of color-screen Gigabit HD IP desktop phones for SMBs and enterprises. All models are multi-line and have XML programmable softkeys, BLF extension keys, dual Gigabit network ports, multi-way voice conferencing, Electronic Hook Switch (EHS) support for Plantronics (News - Alert) headsets and are preloaded with weather and currency exchange real-time Web applications. The 3-line GXP2130 has a 2.8-inch color LCD screen, while the more advanced 4- and 6-line GXP2140/2160 phones have a larger 4.3-inch color display, more programmable keys, support for add-on modules and Bluetooth and USB capabilities. Use of the open standards-based SIP protocol makes the GXP phones interoperable with a wide range of SIP-compatible telephony systems and hosted/cloud services. Also new is the GXV3240 IP Video Phone for Android that combines a 6-line IP Video phone with access to Android applications downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Mitel has four new 6800i series SIP business desk phones that build on the earlier Aastra 6700i series (Aastra is a leading enterprise communications manufacturer that recently merged with Mitel). The new series supports Aastra’s high definition Hi-Q™ audio technology, XML capabilities and an eco-friendly design that incorporates recycled and biodegradable material and energy-saving features (PoE or an optional Efficiency Level “V” compliant power adaptor). Use of the open standards-based SIP protocol makes the 6800i phones interoperable with a wide range of SIP-compatible telephony systems and hosted/cloud services. Models include the 2-line 6863i for light telephone users, the 9-line 6865i with dual Gigabit ports, the 9-line 6867i with advanced speakerphone, large color LCD display, optional detachable keyboard and expansion modules and the 12-line, color-screen 6869i for power users.

Panasonic has refreshed its line of IP, digital and DECT phones, introducing three new and improved models in each category which are compatible with all Panasonic business phone systems, including legacy systems. The KX-NT550 Series of IP phones support a large, backlit graphical display, full duplex headset and speakerphone, a built-in Electronic Hook Switch (EHS), dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and self-labeling (paperless) keys among other popular features.  Three new KX-DT500 digital phones are also full duplex speakerphones and come with built-in EHS support for wireless headsets, allowing users to answer and end calls using a button on the headset. For in-building wireless needs, Panasonic’s new KX-TCA85 Series DECT handsets have 1.8 inch color LCDs, a noise reduction feature and can be paired with a desk phone extension for seamless transfer and simultaneous ringing. Panasonic also has two new UT Series SIP phones certified to work with standard SIP servers from BroadSoft, Metaswitch and Digium: the KX-UTG200 and KX-UTG300 with color displays, HD voice, full duplex speakerphone and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports.

ShoreTel began shipping the ShoreTel 400 series SIP desk phones for use with the company’s ShoreTel Sky cloud UC service, enabling channel partners to provide an end-to-end ShoreTel cloud-based solution (previously, ShoreTel Sky - formerly M5 Networks - supported only Cisco (News - Alert) 7900 series IP phones). Three ShoreTel 400 series models are available for use with ShoreTel Sky, all with 8-line appearances, full duplex speakerphone, Electronic Hook Switch (EHS) support and other popular features. The ShoreTel IP485G has a large, color, backlit display and built-in Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000Mbps) switch. The IP480G has a grayscale display and Gigabit Ethernet support; the IP480 is similar, but houses a 10/100Mbps Ethernet switch. ShoreTel introduced this SIP-based desk phone portfolio in 2013 for the company’s premises-based IP-PBX (ShoreTel 14 and beyond); a fourth, more basic 2-line model (the IP420) is also available for premises-based deployments.

snom expanded its 7xx SIP desk phone series with a new entry-level model, the snom 715. The new desktop phone has some advanced features such as a dual port Gigabit Ethernet switch, HD audio and a USB connector (for a Bluetooth headset or other connections), but sells at a competitive price. snom’s 7xx series portfolio also includes the entry-level 710, mid-range 720 and the higher-end, color-screen 760 that offer a range of capabilities and price points to fit varying requirements and budgets. Use of the open standards-based SIP protocol makes the snom phones interoperable with a wide range of SIP-compatible telephony systems and hosted/cloud services.

Yealink Network Technology Ltd, a China-based voice and video over IP phone designer and manufacturer, added a new desktop model to its latest SIP-T4 Series of IP phones. The new T48G IP Phone designed for executives and business professionals features a large, 7-inch color touchscreen, built-in Bluetooth headset support (via USB), dual port Gigabit connectivity and HD voice among other features. Other models in the series include the T46G color Gigabit phone, the T42G Gigabit phone and the more basic T41P. Use of the open standards-based SIP protocol makes the Yealink (News - Alert) phones interoperable with a wide range of SIP-compatible telephony systems and hosted/cloud services. 

Edited by Stefania Viscusi