T-Mobile makes Wi-Fi calling on Android official

By on Oct 6, 2010 at 9:02 AM
Breaking October 6, 2010

Something people have been waiting for since the first T-Mobile, Android handset was launched is finally going to be available… Yes, Wi-Fi calling is hitting Android devices on T-Mobile. We have reached out to T-Mobile for clarification, as this doesn’t seem to be a normal UMA implementation (as rumored); it’s powered by a new application and we don’t think Wi-Fi to cellular handoffs will work. With that said, T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi calling capability is a great feature nonethenless, letting you make calls over a Wi-Fi signal when there is no cell service, and even making international calls abroad for free. The service will roll out on the new T-Mobile myTouch when the device is released later this year as well as support the Motorola DEFY. Full press release after the break!

T-Mobile Extends Wi-Fi Calling to Android Smartphones

Wi-Fi Calling To Be Available on New T-Mobile myTouch, Motorola DEFY and More

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Oct. 6, 2010 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced its continued innovation of Wi-Fi Calling technology with the upcoming availability of built-in Wi-Fi Calling solutions planned for a wide selection of Android™-powered smartphones, including the recently announced new T-Mobile® myTouch® and Motorola DEFY™ with MOTOBLUR™.

A leader in bringing innovative and easy-to-use solutions to market to enhance indoor coverage for consumers and provide cost saving for businesses, T-Mobile hosts approximately 40 million Wi-Fi calls per month, a number that has grown steadily since the company launched Wi-Fi Calling in June 2007. In addition to consumers benefiting from enhanced coverage, T-Mobile business customers – from small business to multinational corporations – have long taken advantage of the company’s Wi-Fi Calling plan offerings, enabling them to take advantage of the enhanced coverage, as well as the opportunity for reduced domestic and international minute usage, increased enterprise mobility cost savings and improved productivity benefits this solution can deliver. Currently, T-Mobile offers Wi-Fi Calling on numerous devices including the Nokia E73 Mode™, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520, BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 and the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G.

“T-Mobile’s expansion of Wi-Fi Calling to Android smartphones is an excellent innovation, and part of our ongoing initiatives on behalf of our customers to enhance indoor coverage,” said Torrie Dorrell, vice president, connected family products and services, T-Mobile USA. “This new execution of Wi-Fi Calling technology helps us ensure that our customers’ Android-powered smartphones can keep them connected to the important people in their lives where they work, live or play.”

The implementation of Wi-Fi Calling for Android smartphones brings a new solution to a fast-growing mobile platform and broader range of smartphones for consumers and business customers.  Powered by Kineto’s Smart Wi-Fi Application, T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Calling for Android smartphones will be ready to use out-of-the-box, providing the ability to make voice calls and send SMS from accessible Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) access points across the globe in addition to the connectivity available through T-Mobile’s mobile network. The application will also include a tutorial for the benefit of first-time users of the feature.

Availability

Wi-Fi Calling for Android is anticipated to be available on a growing selection of T-Mobile’s Android-powered smartphones in the coming months.

The new T-Mobile myTouch is expected to be available in time for the holidays, exclusively from

T-Mobile USA in four colors —white, black, plum or red. Customers can visit http://mytouch.t-mobile.com for more information.

Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR is expected to be available exclusively to T-Mobile USA customers in time for the holidays. For more information on Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR.  Customers can visit http://www.T-Mobile.com for more information.

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  • Beedi

    Does this mean no G2 support?!

    • Want2CBetter

      Rumor is that it will – OTA update

  • Androidian

    I assume T-mobile will tack on a premium monthly for this service to prevent abuse

    • treydiz

      Why? Did they change the spelling of their name to “AT&T”?

    • Want2CBetter

      Tmo will not do a premium (like other carriers would). This service has existed on Blackberrys at Tmo for years with no extra charge.

  • JJ

    Lets hope it DOES come to the G2 Beedi. It appeared to be running on a G2 in a video from a couple of weeks ago. plus since it is using 3rd party software I would hope an OTA update would make it available. Lets hope so!!

  • http://jeanmichel.gens.free.fr jean-michel

    nice news … vive android

  • mantonuccihhi

    im in iraq, so question? will i be able to tether my internet from my labtop to my phone and make local calls to US if i have a US phone number?

    • UMA Fan

      Yes.

      You have to disable your cell radio on your phone by putting it in flight mode.

      Then when you connect your phone to wifi it just thinks you are in a place in the US with no coverage so your phone just works as it would when you are in the US. No international roaming charges.

      I do this all the time when I travel.

  • rOpO

    I’ve got a VZ Droid Incredible and have been going through hoops using Fring, Vonage, Skype, Truphone etc etc trying to get this VOIP feature going. Planning to jump to TMObile soon, just wondering if this would be available (later) to the Samsung Galaxy line, etc. Am not yet sure about the Defy and MyTouch.

    • UMA Fan

      But the advantage with T-Mobile wifi calling is that people can reach you with calls or texts when you are in another country on your regular US number without you facing international roaming charges.

  • Dara

    They’re slowly shaving the US carrier mandated Nerf coating off Android and that’s a good thing.

    It’s too bad that Google and the manufacturers have been so submissive for so long.

    There’s no reason why VOIP shouldn’t be an integrated feature on a smartphone other than a carrier worrying about protecting their uncompetitive rates from an open market.

    • Chris

      What the crap are you talking about? VOIP is available already, via several different applications.

      T-mobile rates are plenty competitive, especially when you consider that they do not apply fees for, well, everything. cough*, Verizon, cough*.

      Next time you complain about rates remember that infrastructure has to be built and paid for by someone.

      • Dara

        First off, “available” vs. “integrated”. Big difference, but the execution of it is trivial, such that if it isn’t available, it’s a decision to control the customer.

        Next, VOIP calls routed to landlines anywhere in the developed world are coming down to pennies a minute, even if you’re paying overage data rates.

        Cell carriers are not competitive with that. They know it so they take away the option where they can.

        It’s part of why smartphones didn’t get subsidized until the iPhone led the way in compromising capabilities for carrier approval.

  • m1

    Wi-Fi Calling (aka UMA) uses your minutes. There is no “abuse” opportunity towards T-Mobile in this case. T-Mobile would LOVE for you to use Comcast’s bandwidth instead of a cell tower to make a call – it relieves that type of congestion. My guess is that the slow rollout and undermarketing of UMA is due to the fact that the net neutrality laws have not been solidified. Comcast could potentially block UMA over their network, then goto court, then possibly win. Until the right decision is made on net neutrality UMA cannot be properly marketed. (BTW, Google/Verizon fans – Google/Verizon is AGAINST allowing UMA freely)

    • Fisch

      pretty sure they have a 10 dollar UMA unlimited access plan

      and why would it mater anyway if you have UNL minutes =D

  • Djeef

    Doesn’t Google Voice make calls out on WiFi? I have no experience with this, just tried to piece together what’s online about Google Voice.

    • http://cabinics.com David

      I have google voice on my phone on Tmo, I had it on Vzw also. I make unlimited free calls using my phones data. Been doing it for about a year and a half. Silly for me seeing as I have unlimited minutes on my plan for work, but it’s a cool feature of my phone.

      • Jon

        Using your unlimited data for VoIP is fine…unless you happen to roam in a place like Canada where your data is no longer unlimited (or cheap). It’s in locations like that where UMA or Wi-Fi Calling can make a huge difference.

  • Luv

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  • Prove

    Well those are some good and bad news at the same time. Good is that there’s finally some Wi-Fi calling supported in T-Mobile. Bad are the costs and my myself will surely look for some cheaper alternatives. I often use this site to compare tariffs – http://simtariff.com/. Be sure to check it out, it’s easy to use and give some reasonable thoughts.

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