TeliaSonera was the first in Denmark to test the concept based on the international technology standard Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) with a wireless telephone that functions as an IP telephone on the fixed network in the home and as a mobile telephone on the mobile network outside the home. The first phase consisted of pilot tests with GSM/Bluetooth telephones, and in the second phase tests will be carried out with GSM/WiFi telephones.
Fifty Danish families started testing the concept in May this year and were generally positive about the new possibilities brought about by the combined fixed/mobile telephone. The users in the test families appreciated the possibility of having a single phone for both fixed-line and mobile calls with a single subscription, one telehone number and receiving a single invoice. It was also very important for the test families that the solution would be easy to install in the home, and easy to use. Most of the test users also emphasized the importance of having a large and attractive offering of UMA telephones available at the launch.
We're unsure about UMA. UMA in general is a great idea, but only because it reduces cost. If cost is not actually a factor (i.e. unlimited mobile voice/data plans become affordable) UMA is pointless. And frankly we'd rather have unlimited plans than UMA.
Also note that you don't need UMA to have phones which can access data networks via WiFi; UMA will allow seamless transitioning - but it is so hard to say: "I'll Skype you in a second."?
[via Slashphone]
