You may wonder, as I did, how T-Mobile's call router knows whether to send an incoming call via WiFi or the cellular GSM network. Calls are routed based on how the phone is registered on the network. If you're connected via WiFi, the network knows and will route incoming calls appropriately. The same is true if you're connected via the cellular GSM network. The call router will typically look for a WiFi connection first.

I was quite impressed with the WiFi range of the phone and router. It was stronger than that of my WiFi router. I confess, my own router is about four years old though; it will only reach about half-way across my third-of-an-acre yard. But the T-Mobile router reached half-way up the next block; better than twice as far as my own.

The WiFi call quality was much better than the cellular too. It may be a result of the signal being closer and stronger than the GSM signal, or maybe it has to do with the call going over broadband Internet; I don't know. But I can say the call was loud and clear. No static or interference at all.

What's not
There are only a few things that are not hot. First is that T-Mobile service is not available in my area. We have a T-Mobile affiliate, but they don't offer the Hotspot@Home service.

Second, it won't work with any WiFi enabled phone or PDA, only those currently offered by T-Mobile. The UMA technology utilized by the service is essential and must be built into the phone or device. As of now there are just the two models, but T-Mobile does have plans to release other Hotspot phones.

The above items are really just incidentals. I do have one thing that is a bit of a complaint. In the promotional information for the Hotspot@Home service, it states:

Using UMA, the cellular system hands calls off--both incoming and outgoing--between traditional cellular base stations and routers seamlessly for customers.

And when you're ready to go, T-Mobile Hotspot@Home will seamlessly transition, your call onto the cellualr network, working just like a regular mobile phone.

"Seamlessly transition your call."

What this means to me, is that I can initiate a call via WiFi, and then walk out my door and down the street, or hop in the car and take off. And when I reach the limit of the WiFi signal, the call will "seamlessly" switch over to the cellular network without losing the call. It didn't work that way though. When I reached the limit of the WiFi signal, the call was dropped.

Perhaps I misunderstood the promotional material. Perhaps it had something to do with connecting to the cellular network via a T-Mobile affiliate rather than directly to T-Mobile. I don't know. I was just disappointed it didn't work the way I had expected.

What's the verdict?
Jimmy was very pleased with T-Mobile's Hotspot@Home. In fact, Jimmy would even go so far as to recommend it to his friends. Jimmy only wishes T-Mobile offered service in his area so he could take advantage of Hotspot@Home all the time. Overall, Jimmy rates the T-Mobile Hotspot@Home service at 4 out of 5.

OUR RATING: 4 of 5

Heather Wardell received her first Palm handheld in 1997 (from a boss who couldn't get the hang of Graffiti) and has never looked back. She worked in banking as a systems analyst for four years, and then moved into elementary education, teaching computers at a private elementary school for four years. Heather is now a full-time women's fiction writer, and her first novel, "Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo" is available for free download through her Web site at http://www.heatherwardell.com.