Nokia 6301

Here’s an innovative new Nokia phone which actually makes use of UMA technology. UMA phones like the Nokia 6031 can seemlessly switch between a cell phone carrier’s network and WiFi, in order to greatly extend the range of calls. This is a big boost for business travelers who sometimes run into dead spots.

Nokia, the world’s top cell phone maker, unveiled on Thursday a new phone featuring unlicensed mobile access, or UMA, technology. Nokia said this new UMA model, the 6301, will begin shipping in Europe in the fourth quarter for about $322 (230 euros), before subsidies and taxes.

UMA handsets can make calls over the Internet when they are in range of an unlicensed wireless network, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. When they move out of range, the connection will automatically revert to a GSM, GPRS or UMTS mobile phone network. Nokia started its first tests on UMA technology in mid-2006 and it has already launched its 6086 UMA phone.

Expect more UMA phones as the months progress, because mobility is obviously one of the biggest concerns of mobile phone users.