Nokia to launch GSM-WLAN phone

Nokia will offer a mobile phone capable of working on cellular networks and wireless LANs in the second quarter of this year. It will also release network operating equipment to support the new converged handset, it announced Monday.

The 6136 phone is based on the UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) industry standard, which enables the hand-off of voice and data connections between GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks and WLANs.
The handset, to cost €275, will support all GSM frequencies. It will be equipped with a 1.3 megapixel camera and removable micro SD format memory card, said Kai Öistämö, executive vice president and general manager of Nokia's mobile phone division, at a news conference at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona.

Nokia, the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phone handsets, also plans to offer network operators equipment to support the new GSM-WLAN phone's functions in the second quarter, it said.

The mobile phone industry is at a "turning point" with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. Some manufacturers and operators may view VoIP as a disruptive technology, while others will see it as an opportunity, according to Öistämö.

"We view VoIP as an opportunity," he said.

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GSM and WLAN networks

Bridging two of the world's most ubiquitous wireless standards - GSM and WLAN - the new Nokia 6136 phone integrates UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) technology to allow for seamless handover of voice and data connections between GSM cellular and WLAN networks. With the UMA technology found on the Nokia 6136, operators can deliver voice and data services to subscribers over WLAN access networks, dramatically increasing mobile service availability while decreasing the costs related to network deployment. Consumers, meanwhile, are able to enjoy the benefits of voice calls via the internet using WLAN radio access. The Nokia 6136 phone is expected to be available during the second quarter of 2006.

Orange, one of the world's largest mobile communications companies, will be an initial customer for the Nokia 6136 phone. "By bridging our GSM network and our DSL network - thanks to the WiFi enabled LiveBox, UMA technology allows FT/Orange to deliver a truly seamless wireless experience to our customers," said Sanjiv Ahuja, Chief Executive Officer, Orange Group. "Nokia and Orange have a long history of working together to provide cutting-edge technology combined with exceptional reliability and ease of use. The Nokia 6136 phone builds on this tradition by allowing customers to enjoy their Orange services in more places than ever before."

To accompany the UMA technology, the fold-style, quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) Nokia 6136 also includes a wide array of the latest features. The 1.3 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom provides crisp, clear images and video that can be easily messaged or uploaded to an online photo album for sharing with friends and family. The phone supports removable microSD memory card allowing for optional storage for a wide selection of favourite images or extensive number of digital music files for the integrated digital music player. A built-in stereo FM radio supporting Visual Radio complements the music experience.

"The Nokia 6136 phone clearly demonstrates the complementary nature of cellular and IP-based networks. By implementing UMA technology into this new device, worldwide quadband GSM coverage is combined with superior indoor WLAN coverage to create a device that can deliver an easy-to-use, seamless communications experience in virtually any situation," said Kai Oistamo, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "Besides the benefits that UMA technology can deliver, the Nokia 6136 handset is a powerful, user-friendly mobile phone that delivers all of the most wanted mobile features and excellent usability in a stylish folding design."

The compact and lightweight Nokia 6136 phone features dual color displays, including a large 262k color active matrix main display, an integrated handsfree speakerphone and multiple messaging capabilities, including MMS, email, push to talk and Nokia Xpress audio messaging. The Nokia 6136 phone also delivers excellent operating times in both GSM and UMA modes, with up to 5 hours of talk time and up to 280 hours of standby time in GSM mode and up to 5.5 hours of talk time and up to 82 hours of standby time in UMA mode.

The Nokia 6136 also includes a new DARP (Downlink Advanced Receiver Performance) radio receiver, which enhances the radio performance of the device. Studies from 3GPP have indicated that DARP increases the operator network capacity by 40-70 per cent. For consumers, DARP brings improved voice quality and higher data throughput.


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What is a WiFi Phone?

A WiFi phone use wireless technology. There are designated areas in cafes and public areas known as hotspots where you can use a WiFi phone. Providing there are no obstructions and depending on the amount of people using the hotspot, you can use your WiFi phone within 300 feet (about 90 meters) of hotspot area. As long as you are within range of a hotspot, your office can be where ever you are.

The WiFi phone has all the same features as a regular phone. With normal cell phones, you can make calls, text message, receive voicemail and with limitations, access the Internet. The WiFi phone has greater data retrieval capabilities and wider Internet access. The WiFi technology can also be found in laptops. There is no need for telephone lines to connect to the Internet.
WiFi phone technology is still relatively new and may take a while to become widely accepted. It has been available in hospitals and offices for years, but consumer options have been limited. It is predicted that the number of access points and hotspots will increase over the coming years. As the benefits of the WiFi phone become more apparent, many people are expected to make the change from more traditional phones.

There are still a few teething problems to be found with WiFi phone technology. You cannot roam between hotspots with your phone and still receive WiFi calls, although you will still be able to make and receive normal calls with your phone. A lot of phones have been found to shut of the WiFi connection when not in use to conserve energy, thereby missing incoming calls. As the speed of technological developments is so fast, these problems will probably have been ironed out by the time you finish reading this article.

As hotspots are free to use, and the average American consumer's cell-phone service costs 50 US dollars (USD) a month, the cost benefits of the WiFi phone can be huge. WiFi is seen as the way forward for the business community. It also looks likely to revolutionize the way we pay for and use our phones in the future.
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