14 DAY TRIAL // US' fourth largest wireless carrier T-Mobile has announced that it is planning a national launch, during this summer, of mobile phones with WiFi that can be used on hotspots to carry calls over the web.
One of the things the carrier in aiming to improve by introducing the new phones is the indoor reception. The WiFi handsets will also enable customers to save on monthly cellular minutes.
T-Mobile's service, known as 'Hotspot at Home' has been in trial in Seattle throughout the past few months. The US carrier is now ready to introduce it nationwide, as early as mid-June, according to sources. Handsets that will be used with the service are manufactured by leading phone companies Nokia and Samsung.
During the trials, customers are paying $20 aside from their regular monthly cellphone bill in order to use the service as well as an extra $5 if they want to add another family member. These fees may be different when a national launch occurs.
US T-Mobile customers have so far been able to use hot spots in Starbucks shops, airports and several other locations to connect to the Web with their laptops. The introduction of the new service will allow them to use the same networks by using their mobile phone.
Although T-Mobile has had some technological problems with the project, like making a smooth handoff between the phone and WiFi network while at the same time maintaining battery life, those issues have now been solved and the service is now ready for launch. It will become available through the carrier's own stores as well as through some retail partners.