The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 just released deserves some mention here because it is VoIP-friendly, at least to some extent, relative to most BlackBerry machines. The Bold 9700 is equipped with Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. The two telcos that will provide the service are AT&T and T-Mobile. Again as per its unpopular habits, AT&T isn't very generous with allowing free connectivity. But the T-Mobile version, on the other hand, even supports UMA. Users can make cheap or free VoIP calls via T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots or a business-flavored version of the service called the Wi-Fi Calling with MobileOffice. A range of 3G frequencies are also supported by the BlackBerry Bold 9700, and also Bluetooth.
Browsing through the list of communications applications for the BlackBerry Bold 9700, in view of finding which VoIP apps are around, I came across the following: MO-Call 3005, a free way to make cheap international calls; the famous Yahoo! Messenger; Google Talk; and IM Plus All-in-One. Besides, there are many other VoIP applications that support BlackBerry. These applications allow BlackBerry users to make free or cheap international calls while on the move.
Image (c) BlackBerry.com
Recent changes to T-Mobile’s UMA service offering removes the “FREE” from UMA. You can still use the UMA feature with any wireless network connection but regular minute rates apply. I learned the hard way.
UMA feature with wireless yes BUT you pay same minute rates and same long distance cost.