An interesting new service is now available from the cell phone companies. Since for many people, a majority of their phone calls are received/made from home, this is a pretty big deal service.

What Talkspot and UNO are all about

Basically, their new phones work on both the cellular network AND your wireless internet wi-fi network at home over a technology called "Unlicened Mobile Accesss". So when you're inside the coverage area of your home's wireless router, your cell phone calls will be routed over the internet, rather than the cell phone network.

Who it's for and not for

I'd say that it is a pretty good technology. It is especially good for those that may not have good cell phone coverage inside their home/apartment/condo.

• Phone selection is extremely limited (just a few available now), since you need a phone with the hardware to support it. It won't work with your HTC or iPhone.
• calls will only be "unlimited" when you are actually within range. So, choosing a half-decent wireless internet router is important, as is placement. Also, a problem can arise if you really hammer your internet connection with downloads and/or uploads (potentially).
• ++++ this technology should work when you are connected to _any_ open wireless hotspot. So, you can set this type of thing up at your parent's house, work, school, etc, and then you'll get free calls at these places too (internet connection quality pending).
• Building on the above, if your cottage has internet, but no cell signal, you can now get "cell" service. Also, if travelling to the USA, if you have access to a wifi point, calls made to Canada and received are under the "unlimited" tariff (still unconfirmed though, they could block non-CAN net connections)
• You'll need to have a decent pre-existing high speed internet connection to use this service. It is not like Rogers home phone, where they sometimes include an internet connection for just the phone service.
• Your phone's battery _should_ last longer as well, since it won't have to use a very strong signal, since the cell signal doesn't need to travel very far.
• I would imagine that the system can "handover" calls that start inside your house, and then continue when you drive away, or at least I'd hope it can.
• Rogers does have a "voice-optimized" router which is free after bill credit. I believe it works by giving the cell phone priority during calls over other internet connections. I don't think you have to use this router, but it seems at least half-decent.

Price for Rogers TalkSpot and Fido UNO

This service is an option to add on to monthly cellular plans.

The cost for Rogers and Fido to add this option (per phone) is $15/month or $20/month if you want to have unlimited Canadian long distance with it. With the $20/month extra plan, they'll still charge you something like 10cents/minute for calls to the USA. Puh. Of course, when you receive a call in one of these hotspots, it'll be local. If you want cheap outgoing long distance calls, why not just use something like Yak in the first place?

So, obviously this service isn't for people that already have a decent cell phone plan. Now, if you have a home-business or some such and make lots of calls from home, but need a cell phone too, this might be just the thing to get rid of your landline for good.

What I'm curious about

Will this system support free on-your-cell-phone internet access while you're inside your own household over the wifi connection?

Why this is good for providers

This is good for Rogers and Fido, since they'll be able to increase market share a bit, while lowering their expenses. Think about it, the calls are routed over YOUR internet connection, instead of THEIR pricey cellular equipment. Also, they don't have to worry as much about making their equipment so strong that it can penetrate into basements or concrete condos/apartments/office buildings, where the cell signal can be pretty weak.

For more information on Rogers Talkspot and Fido UNO

• RedFlagDeals - LAUNCH: Fido UNO (UMA)
• T-Mobile USA's launch of Hotspot@Home
• Fido Official Website on UNO
• Rogers Official Website on TalkSpot

Fido, Rogers, Bell & Telus

Fido and Rogers ars the same company, and they are the same technology. Bell and Telus do not currently offer this service (yet?).

In my opinion, in the future, services like this will be irrelevant. This is because smartphones will handle this on our end, rather than being dictated by the provider, but we'll have to see!