T-Mobile@Home launch details aplenty
After one of the lengthiest beta periods in recent memory, T-Mobile is finally getting around to launching their UMA service next week. We’ve got some launch details here, though please keep in mind that these are unconfirmed and subject to change. The service will launch, as rumored, nationwide next Wednesday, June 27th. TV ads for T-Mobile@Home will launch the same day. The TV spots might feature a bathrobe-clad man named Jimmy. Here’s where it gets interesting. Apparently T-Mobile will be holding a contest, beginning in early July, in 11 major markets, giving away a free phone, router, and a full year of service to the first 100 customers in select stores. The markets and stores have not been revealed, but a free year of service is nothing to scoff at! We had the opportunity to beta test T-Mo’s UMA service over a year ago. While there were certainly some kinks to be worked out of the system, the voice quality was good, and the GSM/WiFi hand-off was completely transparent. Anyone out there looking to buy in to T-Mobile’s newest offering?
Thanks, anonymous tipster!
if it means that the Curve w/ wifi is coming then yes, I’m down.
I think will be an interesting process. Cingylar had something similar(sans wi-fi) at some point and it really didn’t catch on. The cost and lack of support were some of the reasons. But if this goes well I think it might help push it a bit further. Although I much prefer skype and 3g as a individual offerings. But free is good no matter what.
the Curve should be dropping shortly…so they say. one of the in store reps told me that T-Mobile was waiting to introduce the Curve after the @Home service dropped…since the Curve will have wi-fi and will be able to take advantage of this new service.
cant wait!
@MK if that is so that will be a great combo and that will make it even better than I (a none Tmo user) expexted.
Where is the blackberry 8820? As soon as the 8820 is launched I will pick up the UMA service!
Chicago is a test market…
@FLIPP_96 the 8820 from what I knoiw will be out on Cingular first. Although that is my guess BG would be able to say other wise.
Thats what I heard Victor also. However, It seems stupid that TMO will launch @home without more phones to pick from…..
There are 3 devices so far. Samsung SGH-T709, Samsung SGH-T409, and Nokia 6086. Two flips, one slider.
do you think you could set up the equipment in another country and use your cell? cause I am moving out of the country and if I could set up a router in another country and still be able to use a US # to make/receive calls that would be AMAZING! think it would work?
This worked when outside the country on a WiFi network during beta. T-Mobile might block it though but it would be a very nice unofficial feature.
Last week, prior to heading to Brasil, I called tmobile to turn on their worldwide blackberry service (@ $20/mo its a fantastic deal)…
…before I got off the phone, the rep, without any questions from me, said that it will be really good once their @home service launched since people such as myself, who travel international quite a bit, will be able to make calls for ‘free’ on a wi-fi network with my mobile.
Take the news with a grain of salt, but thats the word on the tmobile street.
International would be a big hit. The rest of the workd is a lot bigger than the US. IM also in Brazil and that would be an amazing combo; but we still need more phones that can serve both the US service and the overseas local operator.
I’m am not sure how this will work internationly. I do know that roaming on Hotspot’s internationly costs an arm and a leg and it’s cheaper to purchase a day pass but if you using your own wi-fi connection it might work.
It will work I just got off the phone with T-mobile.In a nut shell any call using wi-fi will be charged as anytime minutes unless subscribe to the uma addon. Uma will work in brazil as long as the call was originated on UMA but if you use phone to call any nuber other then to the US you willbe charged normal int dail rates.On the down side to this if you plan includes weekends or timobile to tmobile and you are using wi-fi without addon those minutes too will be deducted from you anytime minutes.
I hope this helps.
I will certainly go for one
I already have 3 handsets
but this one I would go for rather than the iPhone
UMA service will only be offered by T-Mobile for now. Exclusive to T-Mobile.
Nope. All the calls I believe will be routed through the internet. Therefore, no minutes will be counted.
Dudes!! Was one of the peeps to stand in line in my bathrobe and received the complete package, CELL PHONE AND ROUTER, and I do have to say it is sweet and you can not tell of the switch at all and the rate plan offered was just ridiculous, as long as you are in a HotSpot the calls are free but if not the 2000 mins that come with the plan are more than I use in a month.
Didn’t believe it until the bag was in my hand and I LOVE IT!!!