Telecommunications inustry embraces VTech's Connect To Cell trademarked phrase
Shared Language to Help Consumers Understand Bluetooth Connectivity Across Brands
BEAVERTON, Ore., April 23, 2013 – The telecommunications industry, manufacturers and retailers will begin using VTech® Communications' trademarked Connect to Cell phrase to support common consumer understanding of cellphone syncing capabilities with home phones. Working with retail partners, VTech Communications, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of VTech Holdings Ltd. (HKSE: 303) agreed to sub-license the trademarked descriptor to other manufacturers in support of a unified industry language.
VTech first used Connect to Cell in 2010 to describe the Bluetooth syncing capabilities of select home phone systems to make and receive calls from either a paired cellphone or traditional phone. A leading national retailer proposed standardizing the terminology for easier public understanding, as multiple manufacturers use Bluetooth technology under different names resulting in confusing descriptions for consumers. There are about 20 different Connect to Cell models sold in the marketplace, six models from VTech.
The trademarked phrase will be available to interested telecommunications brands, upon the execution of a royalty-free license agreement with VTech. Consumers will begin seeing Connect to Cell on other manufacturers' new phone models this spring. Retailers also will start to use this trademarked phrase on store signage, point-of-purchase displays and supporting materials. VTech products and packaging already use the Connect to Cell phrase.