T-Mobile USA launches WiFi access for cellphone users

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 28 June 2007 09:13

Your IT - Home IT

Deutsche Telekom's US cellular subsidiary, T-Mobile USA, has launched a converged fixed-mobile service that enables its cellular customers to make low cost calls via WiFi through home base stations and their broadband Internet connection, or through T-Mobile's 8500 public hotspots in the USA.

In progress calls are handed over seamlessly from cellular to WiFi when the user moves into range of a WiFi base station and vice versa. However the tariff applied to the call wil be the one for the network on which it was initiated.

The service is a direct play for the nation's fixed network customers with T-Mobile CEO, Robert Dotson, saying: "More people than ever are looking to drop their home landline phone and pocket the savings. However, they don't want to use all their wireless minutes talking from home. Our new service solves this dilemma once and for all."

The service is being launched with a choice of two WiFi enabled cellphones: the Samsung t409 and the Nokia 6086, both at $US49.99 with a two-year contract on a qualifying rate plan.

T-Mobile also has partnered with D-Link and Linksys for Wi-Fi routers for use with the service. It says these have been "designed for simple setup and enhanced battery life for the handset, as well as ensuring voice calls are carried with "the utmost call quality". Each is currently offered at no charge with the HotSpot @Home service via mail-in rebate.

For a limited time the service can be added to any qualifying T-Mobile voice plan for $US10 per month for a single line, and $US20 per month for up to five lines on a FamilyTime plan. This gives up to five family members unlimited calling via the home WiFi hotspot.