The company will work with handset manufacturers including Motorola, Audiovox and Qualcomm to incorporate the technology into new handset models.

As early as 1890, Western Electric had been experimenting with single handset models, but two technical problems prevented them from production at that time.

It was a new-type handset model, with the bell apparatus concealed in the base of the instrument itself.

Mobile phone makers have been caught between consumers reluctant to buy new handset models and operators curtailing investments to preserve cash.

There are 800 current handset models to choose from.

The service is already available on about 70 handset models and is expected to be on some 400 devices by the end of the year, Mr. Boom said.

Some handset models do require a more iOS-like jailbreak in order to open them up, but for the most part there are no meaningful restrictions.

Nokia has released only a couple of handset models in a few countries this year, and Windows 8 is not yet in beta.

The remaining exceptions are restricted to certain handset models.

Effective Sept. 16, the Federal Communications Commission mandates that cellphone providers must offer at least two handset models that have a minimum M3/T3 rating.