T-Mobile Android phones will get WiFi calling

T-Mobile today announced that Wi-Fi calling will be available for a wide selection of Android smartphones, including the recently announced T-Mobile myTouch Motorola Defy, and LG Optimus. Currently, T-Mobile offers Wi-Fi calling on devices such as the Nokia E73 Mode, BlackBerry Curve 3G and Bold 9700 and the old Blackberries Pearl and Curve.

This feature is excellent when you have poor coverage indoors and specially when you travel overseas. Every time i travel to South America or Asia, i used my Blackberry Curve 8900 to connect to WiFi and make calls , send SMS or MMS, to USA like I were home.

Wi-Fi calling for Android is expected to be available on a growing selection of T-Mobile’s Android smartphones in the coming months.

From T-MO

Wi-Fi Calling for Android is built upon the same technology as UMA, but is a different implementation from our past offerings. While T-Mobile’s current Wi-Fi Calling solution which operates on BlackBerry smartphones, for instance, seamlessly hands off calls from T-Mobile’s network to Wi-Fi networks, Wi-Fi Calling for Android does not.

A pre-installed application from T-Mobile will allow customers to make and receive voice calls and SMS over an accessible Wi-Fi connection.  This provides customers with better in-door coverage and in some cases may provide the ability to make voice calls in locations where they weren’t able to do so previously.

For consumers, Wi-Fi Calling for Android increases coverage and uses voice minutes. [NOTE: calls originate on Wi-Fi, but are carried across T-Mobile’s network once beyond the initial Wi-Fi connection.]  T-Mobile also has plans for business which can help defer wireless minutes and provide cost savings.

Wi-Fi Calling will be available on the new T-Mobile myTouch, Motorola DEFY and others Android phones in the coming weeks. We are planning to expand Wi-Fi Calling for Android to as broad a selection of Android smartphones in our line-up as possible.  Éclair (2.0/2.1)  and Froyo (2.2) are the Android OS versions that currently support the application.