Startup of the Week: Agito Networks

If you believe you pay too much for cellular phone service, Agito Networks wants a word with you. The company's fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) appliance lets enterprises save minutes by routing cell calls across wireless networks, both public and private, through the corporate PBX rather than a nearby cell tower. --Andrew Conry-Murray AGITO NETWORKS

HEADQUARTERS: Santa Clara, Calif

PRODUCT: RoamAnywhere Mobility Router

PRINCIPALS: Pejman Roshan, co-founder and interim CEO; Tim Olson, co-founder and CTO; Bill Miskovetz, VP of engineering

INVESTORS: Battery Ventures, Castile Ventures, ITX International Holdings

EARLY CUSTOMERS: Dartmouth College, Anthony Marano

THE BIG IDEA

"Enterprises adopt mobile devices to be more responsive and available," says CEO Roshan. Agito's fixed-mobile convergence product lets users make cell calls on a Wi-Fi network, bypassing cellular charges, which can be especially high on international calls. FMC also provides connectivity when cell service is poor or unavailable. CONTROL KNOBS Agito Networks' RoamAnywhere Mobility Router plugs into an existing corporate telephony network. It directs cell calls across wireless access points and through the PBX when employees are within range of the corporate network, and can hand calls back to the cellular network based on performance criteria. Agito's newest release, Secure Remote Voice, also lets cell phone users connect to personal or public wireless hotspots, such as a home office or hotel, via an SSL tunnel to the corporate network. THE COMPETITION Avaya and Cisco Systems have partnered with Agito Networks. Direct competitors include CounterPath, DiVitas Networks, Tango Networks, and Ascendent Systems, which was acquired by RIM. OUR TAKE FMC technology can help enterprises cut cellular expenses. By extending access to personal and public hotspots, Agito can help companies further control costs. Its partnerships with Cisco and Avaya help validate the company's technology. However, corporate WLANs must be robust to carry voice, and integration of FMC technology with the PBX is far from plug-and-play. Companies supporting various cell phone manufacturers also may run into compatibility issues with an FMC deployment. TIMELINE