T-Mobile 'Landline' rolls out nationwide
The US' fourth-largest cellular carrier will be rolling out its T-Mobile @Home service on July 2, the final version of the Talk Forever Home Phone plan that has been in tests since February.
The roots of this plan go back almost one year exactly, when the company deployed its Hostpot @Home Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) plan. Utilizing handsets with 802.11 connectivity, a T-Mobile branded Linksys router and an additional bill on the user's account, T-Mobile subscribers could receive calls over IP while at home. It can be thought of it as a less-sophisticated femtocell.
T-Mobile @Home will place an additional $10 charge on current subscribers with plans costing at least $40 a month, and the dedicated router must be purchased for $50. Standard plan features include unlimited nationwide calling, call forwarding, 3-way conferencing, voice mail, hold, and call waiting. Currently, plans include two UMA phones, the Blackberry Curve and Samsung Katalyst, which cost $249.99 and $49.99 respectively.
To commemorate the new plan, T-Mobile is hosting "Freedomfest" in New York, Chicago, and Denver, which simultaneously serve as Independence Day celebrations.