A new network for Cell Phones: WiFi!

[NatCh]

How Wi-Fi Can Extend T-Mobile's Range

I've long wanted a Cell phone that would use cell networks most of the time, but smoothly jump to WiFi, when that's available, like, say, when I'm at home. It looks like T-Mobile thinks that's a good idea too.

T-Mobile USA Inc., the fourth largest U.S. wireless operator, is planning a national launch this summer of cellphones that can roam on Wi-Fi hotspots in homes and coffee shops, carrying calls over the Web to improve indoor reception and help customers save on monthly cellular minutes.

The service, known as Hotspot at Home, has been in trial in Seattle for a few months and the carrier is ready to roll it out nationwide as early as mid-June, people familiar with the matter say. The phones that currently work with the service are models made by Nokia Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co.

Apparently they (unsurprisingly) had some issues early on with the hand-off from cell to WiFi, and back, but they've reportedly ironed those out. Also unsurprisingly, they're looking mainly to businesses to drive adoption of the new approach. Makes sense, considering that, as the article points out, there are often pretty nasty reception problems inside the glass and iron Faraday Cages that we call modern office buildings.

Full article.