To UMA or not to UMA
In an old article from the Red Herring, describes a technology called Unlicensed Mobile Access or UMA. The article first describes UMA and its justification for being. It is described as simply an attempt by mobile phone carriers and network operators to keep their existing customer base and not loose them to complete pure-play VoIP technologies. It also describes UMA advantages and disadvantages over other VoIP-based technologies.
Wireless phone companies, worried their customers may start using VoIP services like Skype as Wi-Fi-enabled phones become commonplace, are lining up behind an alternate technology called UMA.
UMA, short for Unlicensed Mobile Access, would allow calls to move seamlessly from the GSM (global system for mobile communications) cellular network to Wi-Fi networks. More important to the cell companies, it would let the operators retain control over the call and charge the customer for the time.
With Skype and some other VoIP services, customers would be able to call for free once their phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. With some U.S. cities now proposing free citywide Wi-Fi services, that could mean billions in lost revenue for the wireless firms.
UMA also offers some advantages for the customer. For one thing, in UMA the phone numbers remain the same no matter what network is in use. With Skype, customers have to store and dial the numbers from a separate address book.
On the other hand, customers may be able to download and install the Skype software themselves, while UMA only works with special UMA-enabled phones.
It is interesting to note that UMA-based technologies are typically deployed by the network operators. This works well because they are able to retain control of the voice revenue. UMA addresses some concerns versus Skype and other VoIP technologies. First of all, it is able to use a unique number for both WiFi and CMTS use. If Skype or other VoIP technologies were to be used users are required to have their regular CMTS numbers and then their Skype or VoIP identities and numbers. However, UMA has the disadvantage of having to require special handsets, operator equipment and participation.
Now wonder companies like T-Mobile Germany are rushing to get UMA networks out. They would probably like to get this technology in the mainstream before customer’s start subscribing to VoIP-based services like Skype.
However, a new kid on the block called Divitas might disrupt things a bit. Divitas is a competing technology that does not require special UMA-enabled handsets and network operator support. Instead, it simply has a special client software which can be loaded into certain mobile devices. This technology uses Linux and the Asterisk Open Source PBX. It is still to early to tell if this technology would work in the marketplace since there are no documented roll-outs yet. But, can this potentially disrupt the rise of UMA by being the best of both worlds?
