Nortel (Northern Telecom) recently demonstrated the first of a series of Universal Serial Bus (USB) compliant telephone products and technologies at the Computer Telephony Expo in Los Angeles. The new solutions are part of Nortel's strategic initiative to introduce the Plug and Play flexibility of USB-based computer telephony integration (CTI) technology into small offices and large enterprises.

Nortel's first demonstration showcased a multi-featured telephone set with a USB port, allowing PC administration of advanced telephony features, including the ability to configure and manage the phone from the PC, as well as visual call waiting and infinite call logging and directory functions.

Nortel also showed an advanced Plug and Play USB-based CTI device that links a PC with Nortel's Norstar digital key system. The system can be used to deliver new CTI functionality to existing Norstar systems and is fully TAPI-compliant.

"Since Intel and Nortel are among the seven companies that helped create the USB specification, Intel is encouraged by Nortel's rapid USB product development," said Jim Pappas, Intel's director of platform initiatives.

"Now that most PCs are shipping with USB as a standard feature, the opportunity for telephony to unite with the computer has never been greater. Nortel is positioned to take a lead with its USB product lines."

As a founding member of the USB Implementers Forum, Nortel believes USB is a key intelligent link from the telephone to the computer and has announced plans to incorporate the technology in many upcoming products.