Cool T-Mobile Feature

I use a BlackBerry Curve on T-Mobile's wireless network. My plan isn't incredibly cheap: 1000 minutes plus unlimited data (including BlackBerry email, which I actually don't use much) for $80/month. I find it worthwhile, because I like the phone, and that includes using the phone as an EDGE modem (ISDN speed) whenever I'm in an area where I don't have Internet access.

About a week ago, I noticed a feature of my phone and plan that I hadn't realized I had: if I'm in an area with WiFi (802.11 wireless networking) set up, the phone switches to "UMA" mode. That's Unlicensed Mobile Access, a confusing acronym that refers to the sending of voice calls over the Internet rather than the cellular carrier's separate network. It's a species of VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).

What does this actually mean? It means that if I'm at home, anywhere that has public WiFi, or the I-CON office, my calls travel over the WiFi network and then the Internet instead of T-Mobile's network. I get higher sound quality, and also coverage in places that the cell network doesn't reach well, such as basements and many buildings with steel structures.

And there's no additional cost. The calls do come out of my monthly minutes pool, but I never come close to using that up.

So this whole blog post is just a "thank you" to T-Mobile for letting me use this excellent service.