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T-Mobile 'Landline' rolls out nationwide

By Tim Conneally, BetaNews

June 25, 2008, 11:02 AM

The US' fourth-largest cellular carrier will be rolling out its T-Mobile @Home service on July 2, the final version of the Talk Forever Home Phone plan that has been in tests since February.

The roots of this plan go back almost one year exactly, when the company deployed its Hostpot @Home Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) plan. Utilizing handsets with 802.11 connectivity, a T-Mobile branded Linksys router and an additional bill on the user's account, T-Mobile subscribers could receive calls over IP while at home. It can be thought of it as a less-sophisticated femtocell.

T-Mobile @Home will place an additional $10 charge on current subscribers with plans costing at least $40 a month, and the dedicated router must be purchased for $50. Standard plan features include unlimited nationwide calling, call forwarding, 3-way conferencing, voice mail, hold, and call waiting. Currently, plans include two UMA phones, the Blackberry Curve and Samsung Katalyst, which cost $249.99 and $49.99 respectively.

To commemorate the new plan, T-Mobile is hosting "Freedomfest" in New York, Chicago, and Denver, which simultaneously serve as Independence Day celebrations.

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By God Dammit

posted Jun 26, 2008 - 2:13 AM

This is a good half baked solution to T-Mobile's horrible reception. A better solution is to just switch to AT&T. It's better to pay more for high quality, reliable service than to pay less for crappy reception.

Score: 0

By jafo818

edited Jun 25, 2008 - 12:19 PM

My friend has this because he has horrible cell reception in his apartment. With his broadband he can make/receive calls now. No need for a landline anymore.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jun 25, 2008 - 3:57 PM

...but he's paying *more* than most landlines...

Score: 0

By daq

posted Jun 25, 2008 - 11:32 AM

Either I've been living under a rock or they have been hiding this really well.But what are the advantages? People that talk a lot already have unlimited plans. Why pay extra $10?

Score: 0

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