Telstra is to offer, in coming months, an LTE version of the Cisco Cius Android based tablet, presently available only with WiFi and bluetooth.

The well known hands-free and unified comms company has crafted a new “education and sales program” to offer “greater support” for its 300 partners across the Aust and NZ region.

iPad users will be able to make full use of their employers' Avaya unified communications and collaboration systems: Avaya has released a version of its Avaya Flare Experience software for the iPad. According to Avaya the iPad version, Avaya Communicator, works over 3G and WiFi networks and enables users to: - view the availability of enterprise associates from the contacts card and simply tap a single location to launch an instant message (IM), voice call or email; - manage two simultaneous voice calls using the iPad while mobile;- multi-task on the iPad tablet while communicating, eg read email, attend a web conference and use the iPad browser, and attend a voice conference call and IM, or use other productivity applications; - search the corporate directory and add associates to the Avaya Flare Communicator contacts fan for easy access; - engage in secure communication and collaboration remotely using Wi-Fi hotspots or 3G connectivity; - reduce mobile expenses by using the data channel and avoiding roaming charges while travelling across different cellular networks. Avaya announced the Flare Experience in September 2010 and was extremely vague about its exact nature. It debuted as Android software running only on a dedicated Avaya tablet but Avaya played down the role of this device and in so doing caused a deal of confusion among commentators and analysts. {loadposition exchange1}

A deal between ShoreTel and HP will see the IT giant selling the ShoreTel Mobility mobile unified communications software as part of its fixed/mobile convergence portfolio.

Headset specialist Jabra has announced a pair of entry-level professional wireless headsets. One is intended for use with conventional desk phones, the other with unified communications applications, softphones, and applications such as Skype.

Internode has  formed a partnership with unified communications technology company, Mitel and systems integrator, Tie Networks, under which Internode will host the virtualised version of the Mitel IP telephony platform with Tie Networks configuring and customising the platform for individual users.

Australian ISP, iiNet and global unified communications vendor, Polycom have teamed up to offer small and medium businesses a new, hosted telephony solution called Business Voice which the two companies say enables a business to easily adapt to its ever-changing needs without the hassles and cost of maintaining a physical telephone infrastructure.

Unified communications vendor, Jabra, has boosted its Australian and New Zealand market presence with the creation of four new roles in its marketing and channel team.

The Australian market for unified communications is predicted to soar to revenues of $1 billion over the next six years as government incentives for video deployments and pent up demand in the wake of the 2009 economic slowdown fuel renewed strong growth.

First it was the carrier networking market, then mobile devices and now Huawei is making a big play for the enterprise market in Australia with the launch of a channel partner program and the appointment of Simms International as its exclusive distributor.