Nokia Mobiles Take On Skype

Nokia has announced new mobile handsets which will enable users to make ‘VoIP calls’ – voice calls over the internet.

The new phones, unveiled at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, uses UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) technology to connect to the internet via WiFi. This will enable VoIP calls via wireless connection at home or at a hotspot.

The Nokia 6136 and N80 will enable calls to be routed via the internet when the caller is within range of their WLAN station but will automatically switch back to their network service providers when the handset is out of WLAN range. This means that users can enjoy the benefits of internet calls using one phone number and one handset.

The new phones follow last month’s announcement of Netgear’s wireless Skype handset, but Nokia’s offerings have the added benefit of GSM access.

Nokia claims that, UMA will enable a cost effective way of improving network coverage via WLAN for mobile service providers, while phone users will have access to low price VoIP calls, and also expanded network reception via WiFi into areas where no coverage or only poor quality reception exists.

In addition to the Nokia 6136 and the N80, the company will also launch two other models at 3GSM – the Nokia 6131 a full feature mobile with a fold design which is expected to sell in tens of millions and the Nokia 6070, an affordably priced camera phone.