The upgrading of UMA (unlicensed mobile access) software to allow its operation over 3G mobile networks is looking more likely, according to analyst firm ABI Research.
“Until recently, proponents of competing fixed-mobile convergence solutions frequently cited the fact that UMA was only usable with 2G or enhanced 2G cellular services,” said Philip Solis, principal analyst at ABI. “But recently, the UMA client software has received an upgrade that will allow it to work with 3G handsets and services, offering another mobile broadband FMC [fixed mobile convergence] option that will be viable for some time to come.”
UMA allows a mobile handset to be used to make calls via the mobile phone or WiFi network. The handset automatically switches between the technologies choosing the most appropriate for the situation.
It had been assumed that the use of UMA as a bridge technology between mobile and WiFi networks had run its course, but according to ABI, delays in the development of viable alternatives, such as SIP, or VCC, the opposite is true."UMA services, devices, and subscribers are still growing, and subscriber numbers should reach 65 million by 2012," said the research company.
BT already has over 40,000 customers for Fusion, its consumer UMA-based service, and has launched a corporate version in eight European countries.
France Telecom has sold over 250,000 UMA handsets for its Unique service, and T-Mobile recently launched a large-scale UMA-based service in the US.