Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) Technology

Oulu, Finland has become home to about 50 people who are now testing the new Nokia 6136 phone that boasts a seemless transition between cellular and wireless networks during a phone conversation. I'm amazed that it has taken this long for this technology to come about, but I'm glad that it is.

While wireless routers are very useful in providing Internet access to homes and businesses, they are no different from in-home wireless phones. They offer a limited area of freedom, but once the handset (or computer) is taken outside of the servicable area they are completely useless.

Cellular technology has modernized the way in which people converse. In a period of five to ten years the United States and much of the world has gone from having land-lines in every home to cell phones in every hand. They offer flexibility and availability in a way that has never before been experienced.

I look forward to the day when business people can sit on a train, or anywhere for that matter, with their laptops open as they communicate over the web. Yes, this kind of change would require a lot of infrastructure and bandwidth capability, but it will eventually offer the same kind of service for laptops that cell phones have been using now for years.

The advent of the Nokia 6136 offers a transition for these services. By putting cell phones and laptops on the same wireless networks the current cellular network infrastructure could more easily be switched to wireless services.

Many cellular providers are already servicing wireless coverage areas. This new technology will make wireless Internet communication better by simplifying services and by putting more emphasis on wireless capabilities and reliability.