Introducing the Cisco SPA525G Desktop IP Phone, which features WiFi, Bluetooth, and more!

The Cisco SPA525G and the popular Linksys SPA-9XX series SIP desktop IP phones share a lot of visual similarities. The SPA525G is different from previous Linksys IP phone models in several ways due to the incorporation of the Linksys Small Business product line into Cisco's own SMB product business.

To start, the SPA525G is compatible with Cisco's exclusive SPCP protocol, which is utilized in the well-liked UC500, as well as SIP. The phone uses Cisco Discovery Protocol, or CDP, to identify whether it is connected to a SIP or UC500 network. In addition to testing the Linksys SPA9000, Trixbox, and Digium's Switchvox—all SIP-based IP PBXs—we have had an SPA525G in our lab for a few days. Either a SIP or a Cisco proprietary platform appears to be a suitable fit for the SPA525G. Additionally, the Cisco UC500 feature set will be supported by the SPA525G. Note: The SPA525G is designed to be used exclusively with the Cisco UC500 or a SIP platform; it does not support the entire Callmanager UC / Callmanager Express feature set.

The Cisco SPA525G's network connection method is its next unexpected feature. The phone supports 802.3af Power Over Ethernet and has two inbuilt Ethernet connections. Furthermore, the SPA525G features an integrated 802.11G WiFi client that supports WiFi Protected Setup, multiple AP profiles, WEP and WPA authentication/encryption. The SPA525G's ability to connect via wired or wireless ethernet makes it much more flexible, and consumers will undoubtedly love this feature. During our tests, the SPA525G found WiFi networks rapidly and was very easy to set up.

Additionally, as far as we are aware, there is only one IP phone that has native Bluetooth support: the Cisco SPA525G. Without any problems, we were able to pair the phone with Plantronics and Jabra BlueTooth headsets. In case you are not comfortable with Bluetooth, the phone comes with an integrated 2.5mm headset jack.

The Cisco SPA525G phone has an integrated USB 2.0 connector that is visible on top. The built-in MP3 player on phones today allows you to play MP3s directly from any USB storage device. It is readily accessed through the phone's soft menu. The phone's incredibly bright color LCD display can also be used to show off images, much like the LCD digital picture frames that are so popular right now.

Additionally, Cisco has included a number of integrated XML web applications that let you access local news and weather feeds and view the content directly on your phone's display.

In addition, the Cisco SPA525G supports LDAP / XML Corporate Directory and provides a Personal Address Book.