T-Mobile bringing HotSpot @Home to your landlines

T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home already brings WiFi VoIP to compatible cell phones, and the latest FCC filing from T-Mo and Linksys indicates that soon all the phones in your pad will be able to get in on the action: say hello to the WRTU54G. Apart from the T-Mobile branding and the two phone jacks on the back, the router features two user-accessible SIM card slots, which appear to be used to configure up to two phone lines -- we're not sure if they're VoIP or cell, however.

[Via TG Daily]

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 9th 2007 12:24PM]

As both a T-Mobile customer and a Vonage customer, I would gladly trade my Vonage account for a T-Mobile VoIP account. Vonage has a decent service, but their customer service is beyond terrible.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 9th 2007 4:02PM]

I am a current T-Mobile @Home customer, but I don't understand what this is for...?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 9th 2007 6:53PM]

Lots of possibilities for what the device could be used for, but I'm speculating that this device is similar to the Vonage VoIP adapters out there that allow you to plug a standard phone into the device and make calls over the internet.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 9th 2007 8:41PM]

This can be likened to Vonage's VoIP services but hoping it's different enough that Big Red's Big Daddy (VZComm) won't sue T-Mobile for copyright infringement.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2007 10:40AM]

I am using HotSpot@Home with T-Mobile LinkSys router. The ability to attach existing phones is what I was hoping would be provided in current available routers, but, alas, this is not the case. I'm more concerned about people who got the original T-Mobile routers (albeit free with rebate)- do we/they get some sort of swap-out promo or rebate? If there is a charge, I'm hoping its not to usurious, because I'd like to use my existing handsets for VoIP calling.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 15th 2007 1:02PM]

I'm having a hard time understanding the use of this...

From what I gather, for an additional 9.99 and expenses associated with setting this up, I'll be able to have unlimited phone usage on my cell at home (when going through the hotspot), along with my normal usage charges while I'm away from home (on the normal cell network).

Is this correct? For someone like me who has NO home line and uses their cell for all calls, this would be a great tool.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 8:11PM]

Sean,

You have to sign up for a T-Mobile cellular contract (minimum $39.99/month plan) then add the HotSpot@Home service, currently on promotion for $9.99/month, but, will go up to $19.99/month at end of promotion period. You have choice of 2 WiFi-enabled handsets (Samsung ? or Nokia 6086). You can use a T-Mobile router (LinkSys or D-Link, which have a rebate promo that makes them free) that is optimized for voice packets, has one button WAP security set up, and, maximizes battery on handset, or, you can use an existing wireless router.

If you don't have a land line, and, particularly, if you don't have great cellular signal at home, then this would provide VoIP telephony capability at home and if ISP service goes down, you have T-Mobile network as "backup". All your domestic calls are free (I'm not sure about international LD charges) as long as you initiate calls on WiFi network. If you move away from router, call should transfer to T-Mobile cellular network and the call will still be considered as WiFi/VoIP call and you won't get docked for any cellular minutes (conversely, if you start a cellular call and connect to a WiFi connection, its still considered a cellular call and will burn up your cell minutes). One of the benefits is that if you are at any T-Mobile HotSpot (Starbucks, Borders) or open WiFI network (e.g., our local county libraries have free WiFi and I've made calls using my Nokia from these locations), you can make free calls. Beauty is if you're overseas, you find a Starbucks with HotSpot network and you can call home for free.

I had problems with dropped calls initially and T-Mobile has replaced my handset. But I am still getting dropped calls. I received another call today from Tier 2 Tech Support and he had me "reset" the T-Mobile router and I think this may resolve my dropped call problem, but, jury is still out.

If you already have a T-Mobile $39.99/month plan, I would hope you could add the HotSpot@Home service at the promotional rate, and, you can add WiFi VoIP service in your home, assuming you already have some sort of high speed internet service (cable or DSL). If not, you'll have to add that to the mix.

Hope that helps.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 10th 2007 5:13PM]

I need help. I am on my third Samsung t409 trying to connect to hotspot at home. I get a W010 error. We have three Nokia phones that connect just fine. I am at a lost here. Help!