
23-05-2009, 23:50
UMA is a VOIP protocol similar to SIP, IAX, and Skype's proprietary protocol. An UMA protocol will not bypass the login process on a hotspot. An UMA equipped Blackberry has a web browser that can navigate through them. Additionally, Boingo (a wifi consolidator) has a global roaming package for PDAs for US$8.95 a month. There is a public beta client for Boingo which you can download. The combination of this will give you free calling to the US in a number of places. It may also work with a similarly equipped Rogers device with "Home Zone" calling. I've heard conflicting information about whether Rogers bans foreign IP addresses from its range.
Orange UK has a similar service called "Unique" and they are about release a version of the HTC Touch for. Windows Mobile supports a client called Devicescape which can be preprogrammed to log on to a number of hotspots automatically. They have a similar program for the E-Series Nokia and the iPhone. Coupled with a number of programs (Fring, Pennytel, Truphone, etc) this also makes a powerful mobile VOIP device.
To Snidely, a SIP client is just a VOIP program for use with the SIP protocol. Eyebeam, XLite, Gizmo are examples of this. Additionally Fring supports it. You can set a conditional divert so that the if the program is online it rings, but if it is shut off the call bounces on to your international SIM saving even more money.
To Andy, note my disclaimer. I'm afraid that the new deal won't be as good as Three Like Home, but it still may be a better deal than cruise ship internet.
My ATT 3g Blackberry has included on device data and that has covered me in a number of places. I may be able to get buy with it and say half an hour of cruise ship internet for heavy downloads of an already edited mailbox. Additionally my hotels in Stockholm in Copenhagen are Boingo hotspots and my wife has diamond status which means we will probably have club status for free. There is usually free internet in the club. I don't want to discuss all my strategies in public forums but I've worked out a few.
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