tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post698339778933846441..comments2024-03-20T22:57:03.923+00:00Comments on Dean Bubley's Disruptive Wireless: WiFi BlackBerry - exactly what does it support?Dean Bubleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05719150957239368264noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-18665119248871845662007-12-19T23:12:00.000+00:002007-12-19T23:12:00.000+00:00Dean,Here is some belated feedback on the AT&T Bla...Dean,<BR/><BR/>Here is some belated feedback on the AT&T BlackBerry 8820 and the T-Mobile BlackBerry 8320.<BR/><BR/>There is no AT&T UMA client in the 8820 that I can find (no surprise). The T-Mobile obviously does have UMA functionality. The T-Mobile BlackBerry does not require any additional services (above basic BlackBerry) in order to use UMA or WiFi data. The much publicized $20 HotSpot@Home plan merely discounts UMA minutes to free, whereas without the plan, minutes still route through UMA, but also count against your bucket of minutes. While there is no extra investment needed, it should still be reinforced that your UMA traffic still routes through T-Mobile's network. This prevents an 8320 from being used for UMA without T-Mobile authentication. Since the authentication takes place between the SIM and T-Mobile’s network, the T-Mobile BlackBerry is able to open its UMA session without the cellular radio being powered up.<BR/><BR/>To address your questions about WiFi data, both WiFi enabled BlackBerries were able to browse the internet over my home WiFi router with the cellular radios turned off, AND with the SIM cards removed from the phones. This means that RIM has configured the WiFi data to work without the need of carrier authentication. While the T-Mobile UMA functionality may require authentication, I would guess that a third party could put a UMA client on the device and have it work regardless of the cellular carrier.<BR/><BR/>I spoke with a product manager at Divitas about this very thing, and his response was that they do not have any intention “at this time” to support the BlackBerry platform. I’m not sure if that is a true position, or a stated position until they are a little farther down the development path.<BR/><BR/>I hope this helps. If you have any third party UMA clients, I’d be happy to test them here in the states for you.<BR/><BR/>MarkMark Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05032812906985342594noreply@blogger.com