BlackBerry Tips Tuesday – UMA BlackBerry, What’s Apple Got?
What’s UMA? Glad you asked!
UMA Today puts it this way
When a UMA-enabled device moves within range of Wi-Fi, the handset establishes a direct IP tunnel to the mobile core network using the Wi-Fi radio. Once in place, all mobile services (voice, SMS, MMS, …) are tunneled to the phone over IP. Because the GSM/3G radio is no longer used, it is put into a hibernation mode. In effect, only one RAN radio is powered on concurrently with UMA. That’s pretty efficient.
Compare this with how an iPhone, or any non-UMA dual-mode phone (think Nokia E and N) works. When the iPhone moves into Wi-Fi coverage, the Wi-Fi radio powers on. But there is no connection from the Wi-Fi radio to the mobile core network. Therefore, for users to receive cellular services (ie ‘a phone call’), the GSM radio must remain on, concurrently with the Wi-Fi radio.
So, for those who are around WiFi networks and struggle getting cell signal you now have all the cell and data services you need, plus you are not taking away from any minutes! I will be getting a UMA curve next week from my t-Mobile rep to test out. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks for explaining this feature to us. Does it come in other models besides the Curve?
Thanks Mike. Right now t-Mobile is the only vendor offering UMA devices. They have the curve (8320) and the 8820. According to my t-Mobile rep they will pick up the Pearl (eventually) as well.
Also, my AT&T rep told me that UMA will be coming to AT&T eventually, but I am not sure what the time frame.
As for Verizon… they are always behind… except for the Thunder that is to be release in the next month or two. I am hoping the device has WiFi. After seeing the bold I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t put it in there… but that is not to say that Verizon won’t lock it down.