UMA promises to save users’ expensive cell-phone minutes and to plug cellular coverage holes.
Nokia’s forthcoming 6301 model, which is slated to ship in Europe during the fourth quarter, would automatically switch over to VoIP calls when in range of an unlicensed network, such as WiFi or Bluetooth. And when they are out of range, it would revert to a GSM, GPRS or UMTS network.
The 6301 will retail for 230 euroes ($322) and will be offered by Orange. Nokia did not announce any US plans for the device.
Mobile operators have been slow to adopt UMA because they fear it will eat into their cellular revenues.
