UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) for Android looks to be right around the corner (never mind what T-Mobile said), thanks to Kineto's Smart WiFi. You folks using T-Mobile, Rogers, British Telecom and O2 know exactly what I'm talking about, but for those who don't -- UMA lets you use your existing WiFi access point as a standalone femtocell, providing voice and SMS capabilities independent of your carrier's network. It's great for travelers and people who may not have a strong signal indoors, and something that many Android users have been missing. Just like you can now connect to WiFi for a data connection, Smart WiFi connects and gives voice and texts. It is as cool as it sounds.
It's not all wine and roses though. Kineto is quick to point out that they haven't designed an application you can download from the Market, but are working with OEMs to build the software into the phone. It's very much like Swype and Skype are now doing. You're also going to need Froyo to run it, as we've all come to expect by now. Lastly, there's no word on when exactly to expect this, but it sounds like Kineto has their end figured out and the rest is up to carriers and manufacturers. Hit the break to read Kineto's press release, and see their demonstration video. [Kineto Wireless]
YouTube link for mobile viewing
Kineto Smart Wi-Fi Application Available for Android 2.2
Kineto Delivers UMA Technology for Froyo, the Newest Version of Android Operating System
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kineto Wireless, Inc., the key innovator and leading supplier of solutions that enable delivery of mobile services over broadband, today announced it has an updated version of its Smart Wi-Fi Application for Google’s Android operating system version 2.2, also called Froyo.
Kineto’s Smart Wi-Fi Application, based on the 3GPP UMA/GAN standard, turns existing Wi-Fi access points into seamless extensions of the mobile network. Using the Smart Wi-Fi application, subscribers can now resolve indoor mobile coverage problems by receiving their voice and data services over existing Wi-Fi access points.
“Smartphones have highlighted the coverage and capacity challenges of mobile networks, especially in indoor locations. Operators have started to look to Wi-Fi, already installed in many homes and offices, to address these issues,” said Mark Powell, vice president and general manager of Kineto’s Client Business Unit and co-founder of the company. “To capitalize on this growing demand, we have now enhanced our Smart Wi-Fi Application to support the latest version of Android and validated it with the leading Android smartphone manufacturers.”
Kineto’s Smart Wi-Fi Application is designed for mobile operators to address the network coverage and capacity issues created by the growing popularity of smartphones and subscriber demand for bandwidth intensive applications and services. The company works with device manufacturers and mobile operators to pre-load the application onto devices.
Wi-Fi continues to be the predominant wireless technology in the home. A study conducted by Arbitron earlier this year found that 62% of US broadband-connected households already had Wi-Fi installed. Market research firm In-Stat projects that by 2013, shipments of mobile phones with embedded Wi-Fi will exceed ¾ of a billion units. Kineto’s Smart Wi-Fi Application enables mobile operators to extract the maximum benefit from Wi-Fi for their networks and their subscribers.
For more information about Kineto’s Smart Wi-Fi Application, please visit our website www.kineto.com. For a short video of Smart Wi-Fi in action, visit Kineto’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/kinetowireless.
About Kineto Wireless
Kineto Wireless is the key innovator and leading supplier of standards-based solutions that enable mobile operators to embrace the cost and performance advantages of fixed and mobile broadband access networks. The company provides software and services to major wireless infrastructure and handset vendors so they can deliver Smart Offload solutions based on Wi-Fi and femtocell technologies, as well as Voice over LTE. Kineto customers and partners include AudioCodes, Cisco, GENBAND, HTC, ip.access, Juniper Networks, LG Electronics, Motorola, NEC, Qualcomm, RIM, Samsung and Ubiquisys. For more information about Kineto, please visit http://www.kineto.com.
