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WifiCalling posts

T-Mobile bringing its UMA services to businesses via BlackBerry

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 5th 2009 @ 11:09AM

Until now, T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home WiFi calling service had strictly been a consumer venture -- but now, it's time to rope the suits in on the fun. Many of the handsets currently in T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home stable aren't exactly prime workplace material, but a few -- T-Mobile's WiFi-enabled BlackBerrys, to be specific -- fit in rather nicely, and it seems that the BlackBerry line is exactly what the carrier will be using to position the service. There'll be a flat rate that applies to get unlimited calling over WiFi (just like consumers pay) , and considering that businessfolk are probably the last remaining niche of ultra-heavy voice users, this could be a power play for T-Mobile that wins over a few of those lucrative corporate accounts.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Skype to FCC: open up those cellular networks, please

by Darren Murph posted Feb 22nd 2007 @ 11:08AM

It's painfully obvious just how tight cellular providers have control over how their networks are used, which features are enabled, and what handsets are locked, but Skype is hoping to chip away a bit more at the mighty provider stranglehold by suggesting that wireless networks be made to carry Skype calls. In a recent petition to the FCC, Skype is purportedly "asking regulators to force cellphone carriers to loosen their controls on what kinds of hardware and software can be connected to their networks," essentially paving the way for free calls to be made over costly connections. Skype is asking that the so-called Carterfone rules (circa 1968) be applied to the wireless industry, which basically "allowed consumers to hook any device up to the phone network, so long as it did not harm the network." Unsurprisingly, carriers are less than enthralled about the notion, and a cellular trade group has already reacted by calling Skype's proposal one that "completely disregards consumer benefits provided by a competitive marketplace," which is certainly nominated for laughable statement of the year. As of now, no other companies are putting their collective necks out to join Skype's agenda, but hopefully it won't remain solo for too much longer.

[Via ArsTechnica]