Vocera, a provider of voice communication systems, on Friday unveiled its T1000 Wi-Fi phone for mobile workers looking for a more efficient way to communicate over corporate wireless local area networks.

The T1000 is a single-mode phone that uses 802.11b/g wireless technology -- a set of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers -- not cellular technology, as a means of communication. By using their company's WLAN, employees can make voice calls or send text messages inside buildings without incurring additional costs. Cellular carriers charge for such services and often don't provide good coverage inside buildings.

The phone can be shared among users instead of being designated to a specific person. For example, the phone can be allocated when a user logs into the Vocera System for a shift. A phone number associated with the user's profile is what identifies that person on the network. All voice mail and text messages are sent to the user, not the phone, according to Vocera.

Vocera is best suited for vertical industries, such as hospitals, where staffs have a need for in-building communication. The company also offers the Vocera Communications Badge, a wireless network badge that physicians in hospitals can wear, speak into, and listen through.

Both the network badge and the new T1000 phone utilize Vocera's communication system, which comes with a dedicated call button for making calls by name, by group, or broadcasting a call. Alternatively, users can dial using a phone keypad. The system secures all communication through the use of the WPA-2 security protocol.

In environments like hospitals, the phone is meant to stay sanitary with the outer surface containing a BioCote anti-microbial agent that reduces the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mold.

The T1000 will become available at the end of this year. Vocera said it will provide pricing closer to the actual launch of the phone.