[waring192]

I know Vodafone just released there ones and Orange use UMA which my partner which is fantastic.
Just wondering if O2 are going bring anything out as I get no reception in our new place and I cannot change due to being in a contract.
Anyone got/used a Vodafone one before?

[RobM]

O2 trialled them a couple of years ago (2008), but nothing seemed to come of it. Telefonica have made noises about them on a couple of occasions, but don't seem convinced. There is a video on the O2 website of their CEO discussing the idea, but it doesn't really tell you much other than they could be useful.

It's impossible to predict though, they are keeping their cards close to their chest and the only word so far (unless I'm mistaken) is they have 'no immediate plans' to introduce them. O2 will no doubt be watching the success of Voda's SureSignal with great interest and that alone could help make their decision.

[waring192]

Thats a shame, what about the repeater things. Bit expensive though.

[UCLdm]

I think Orange provide the best (and most cost-effective) UMA solution. Shame it's blocked by the likes of O2, but it works on Virgin Media and should work on the other mainsteam ISP's.. although i've heard something about BT blocking UMA in the past.

[RobM]

Originally Posted by waring192

Thats a shame, what about the repeater things. Bit expensive though.

There was a really good discussion about them in this section a little while ago and the results seemed good. Whether the cost compares favourably to paying up your contract and switching to a network with signal is another matter. They really come into their own when no networks offer signal inside.

[RobM]

Originally Posted by UCLdm

I think Orange provide the best (and most cost-effective) UMA solution. Shame it's blocked by the likes of O2, but it works on Virgin Media and should work on the other mainsteam ISP's.. although i've heard something about BT blocking UMA in the past.

Don't confuse UMA with a Femtocell. They are similar in concept but different in approach.

UMA uses your existing WiFi connection to route mobile calls over. The connection is phone to WiFi.

A Femtocell is a dedicated device that plugs into your broadband connection (wired usually) and provides a GSM/3G signal. The connection is phone to mobile network signal.
Think of this as a repeater, the signal output is the same as a mobile mast would provide.

[UCLdm]

Gotcha. I understand that. I think Vodafone offer one, seen the ad a few times. Surely Orange's UMA is an alternative though? Whats the advantage of one over the other? I guess if your broadband goes down you don't get UMA, whereas Femtocell is dependent on the network itself... and electricity (like broadband).

[waring192]

I guess if your broadband goes down you don't get UMA, whereas Femtocell is dependent on the network itself... and electricity (like broadband).

Im pretty sure its still uses voip so. I think the Vodafone is more flexable as you dont need a phone that supports uma (blackberry, some nokias and maybe a LG phone). The phone just see's the the femtocell as reception, you dont even need wifi on the phone.

[RobM]

Each has their own benefits...

The benefit of UMA is it's handset driven and uses any WiFi connection available. So this could be your home broadband, but also a WiFi hotspot in Costa Coffee. But not all handsets or networks support it.

The benefit of a femtocel is it works on any handset, as it's just like a normal mobile signal. So your brand new iPhone will work just as well as your 10 year old basic Nokia. As far as the handset is concerned, it's connecting to the mobile network.

A femtocel relies on your broadband just as much as UMA, so if your broadband goes down you're stuffed either way.

VOIP is another matter entirely, different to each of the above.

[waring192]

RobM, i take it that the vodafone cell will not work on 02?

[RobM]

Unfortunately not, no. It pumps out a Voda signal only.