Cell phone access through WiFi without UMA?

[evad]

I've searched the threads for an answer to my question and have come up dry. Any help will be appreciated.

I have really poor cell signal at home. As I understand it the G1 does not support UMA access to internet calling. Can I set up a wireless router, access the internet from the phone through the router and then use Skype or another service to make VOIP or other internet calls? If so, how. I don't have a problem burning minutes on my monthly plan, I just want to be able to make and receive calls at home.

[CJ Chitwood]

You may be better off purchasing from T-mobile this device... It's a WiFi router and a phone gateway.

They're both $39.99 right now at t-mobile.com.
This one I believe just lets you plug in a regular telephone to an internet connection and use a regular phone that way. But I imagine this isn't what you want.

This one will do the same thing, and if I read it correctly, will allow you to use "hotspot enabled phones" (G1 is one of these, AFAIK) to make calls. It's not a GSM repeater, but it should serve your purpose, and probably better than other VoIP solutions.

Aside from that, I don't know of any VoIP software for the phone (yet) but I'm sure someone's working on it.


HIH and GL. YMMV.

[evad]

Thanks CJ. According to a TMO rep, the router won't work with a G1 as the latter isn't enabled for UMA.

[Knightairman]

I am using the Iskoot app from the Andriod Market. Its a skype app that works on wifi.

[evad]

Thanks Knightairman.

[CJ Chitwood]

Thanks CJ. According to a TMO rep, the router won't work with a G1 as the latter isn't enabled for UMA.

Huh... So what's the diff between this router's "hotspot" and the "hotspot" e.g. at Starbucks that the G1 CAN talk to for voice calls?

Or does the G1 not do any voice on hotspot?

[evad]

As I'm understanding it, the difference is that the phone will access the Internet through WiFi, at home or at Starbucks (mine does). It will not communicate through WiFi to make a phone call.

My newest attempt to get around this is signing up for Magic Jack a low cost competitor to Vonage and Skype. Don't have the hardware yet, we'll see.

[lezouave]

I am using the Iskoot app from the Andriod Market. Its a skype app that works on wifi.

FYI- iSkoot works by placing a call over the cell network to the Skype system which then routes the call. It doesn't use wifi.

[atoy74]

I am using the Iskoot app from the Andriod Market. Its a skype app that works on wifi.

Be careful, you're not using WIFI but actually using your cell mins.

[CJ Chitwood]

But on that note, if it's using a local number or even long distance, it's still gotta be cheaper than international calling...


Is t-mo to t-mo still free internationally?