Tmobile Hotspot@home and n95?

[geoffbaker]

Tmobile has launched its hotspot@home service.

Using UMA technology it allows cell phones to switch from wifi to cell service using your existing home router (or a tmobile router they sell with the package)


PC World - Money-Saving Cell Phones Do Voice Over Wi-Fi


UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) seems like an exciting new technology that will change how we use cell phones.

To utilize UMA you simply need a cell phone with a Wi-Fi radio and UMA software included, according to the article.

My question is the n95 comes with a builtin Wifi radio.

Is there any way to get it to work with the existing tmobile service, or do we have to wait for UMA software to come along? If so, is NOkia working on it - not just for new phones (they already have one that you can buy the Nokia 6086)

Tmobile sales reps won't give out any details except to say that only the two UMA capable phones they sell will work with the service.

Anybody know anything about this?

[gadgetman]

To work, you'd need either their variant firmware or a bit of software on the phone.

Here in the UK, it's been around for about 2 years, but is only now becoming mainstream. Orange and BT were the first to do this.

T-mobile would surely have a FAQ on this somewhere, but you'd need their ADSL and their mobile service - which can proove more expensive overall.

Here in the UK, you need to pay BT the line rental for the landline, THEN the ADSL charges and call charges as applicable from the new telco.

[gadgetman]

Cross linked to - Does N95 supports Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA)

[geoffbaker]

Originally Posted by gadgetman

To work, you'd need either their variant firmware or a bit of software on the phone.

Here in the UK, it's been around for about 2 years, but is only now becoming mainstream. Orange and BT were the first to do this.

T-mobile would surely have a FAQ on this somewhere, but you'd need their ADSL and their mobile service - which can proove more expensive overall.

Here in the UK, you need to pay BT the line rental for the landline, THEN the ADSL charges and call charges as applicable from the new telco.

Tmobile just state that only their phones will work with this service. I've looked through their site, and spoken to their reps.

My understanding is that here in the US it is a $20 monthly charge; they supply a router or you can use yours if you wish - which means you are free to pick your own DSL or broadband service. Of course, I already have their mobile service.

Seems like the n95 would be a perfect machine to run this except it doesnt come with the software... and there's nothing out there (yet) ...

[gadgetman]

Hmmm.

In that case, I'd expect them to sell handsets with branded firmware. So first step would be to learn their variant code for the US I guess......