Comments on: Motorola unveils a Wi-Fi phone

Handset maker says calls will move seamlessly between cellular services and wireless Internet networks.

[CDWilliamsUSCA]

About Time

I work at a HelpDesk, and we work over a large area and make office visits. It would be so nice not to have to carry an IP phone as well as a cell phone. I would even buy one privately to use off site as my personal phone, and then as my work phone onsite. Its about time this technology came about.

[jacomo]

With HotZones it will Dominate

The PDA with a WiFi and Cellular capability built in (and not a smartphone with WiFi) will dominate this space both for Commercial-RoadWarrior and Consumer MultiMedia applications. They will require very high speed access, processing power and a real world display. Battery Life is critical.
Combine this product with the emergence of the new HotZone (Metro Area WLAN)being proposed by these new Service Providers (ILEC/CLEC etc) who own the last mile Wireline services, you have a winner. Then add in the capability to deploy a VoiceIP service in the HotZone and then roam to the 3G cell networks you have a winner here.

802.16 (WiMAX) systems (combining Point to MultiPoint and Mesh)and the PAN based on UWB will rule this WiFi space as well.
Meanwhile the big carriers will be trying to cost justify their Narrowband 3G services (paid big $$$ for licensed spectrum).

Jacom

[LANjackal]

Good concept, but stillborn

Great concept. It'll be a failure. Why? Consider your experience with your current provider. If you love your cellphone company, their terms and your contract, you're probably masochistic.

Mobile providers have always seemed to be bent on screwing the hell out of their own customers with ridiculously restrictive plans, contracts, and upgrade options. I can't help the feeling that I'm being robbed and raped by my provider. I mean, they charge for INCOMING calls - ridiculously unfair, but industry standard so the consumer has no choice (in some foreign countries, cellphone companies are rightly prohibited from charging for incoming calls).

With that in mind, which cellular provider is going to sell a product that reduces the revenue from their captive callers? The providers have already sunk (or they claim to have) millions of dollars into their ancient networks. It's not likely that they'd allow WiFi to cannibalize the business done on the former. Even if they do offer it, the phone won't be cheap - it'll be sold at a higher price to make up for the perceived lost revenue. A $1000 phone? 5-year contracts? I predict it. The hellborn providers wouldn't have it any other way.

Good luck finding a seller, Motorola.