Nokia unleashes 6301 UMA Mobile Phone

Nokia, the world’s largest cell phone-maker, unveiled Thursday its latest handset that features unlicensed mobile access technology (UMA), which enables it to offers seamless voice and data mobility across GSM cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

The new UMA model, Nokia 6301, automatically switches between GSM and Wi-Fi networks, allowing users to shift from conventional mobile networks to make cheap voice calls over the internet when they are within reach of a wireless network such as a Wi-Fi hotspot. The connection automatically reverts to a GSM, GPRS or UMTS mobile phone network as soon as the user moves out of range.

A version of the hugely popular Nokia 6300, the Nokia 6301 integrates the benefits of landline and a mobile phone, including perfectly consistent indoor coverage, sound quality and affordability via UMA technology. The Nokia 6301 phone holders can use the GSM network or a broadband Internet-connected Wi-Fi network for mobile services.

"The convergence of mobile and fixed/land-line technologies means consumers are looking for products that can help make their lives easier," said Peter Ropke, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, at Nokia.

Packed in a thin (0.51 inch) candy bar design with a sleek stainless steel body, the 6301 UMA phone weighs a mere 93 grams and measures 106 by 44 by 13 mm. Unlike the 6300's silver/black color combination, the new UMA model comes in a color scheme called "Cocoa", said Nokia.

The new model also offers a 2-megapixel camera and a 2-inch screen with QVGA resolution or 320x240 as well as Bluetooth support and microSD memory slot. Running on GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz networks, the Nokia 6301 also includes internal user memory of 30MB and 128MB in-box microSD card, with support for up to 4GB microSD cards.

Voice dialing, voice commands and voice recording, MP3 player, FM radio, integrated hands-free speaker are other added features of the Nokia 6301 phone. It has a talk-time of up to 3.5 hours and a standby time of up to 14 days on GSM, while on UMA the standby time is just 100 hours (4 days) with 3 hours talk time.

Nokia has provided a desk stand with the 6301 phone that according to the mobile phone maker is meant “to hold the phone and keep its battery charged while connected to WLAN [Wi-Fi]”.

Wireless wizard Nokia expects to launch this new UMA model in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year for about $322 (230 euros), excluding subsidies and taxes. The 6301 will likely not appear in the U.S.

Nokia is the Finland based manufacturer of mobile telephones, serving customers in 130 countries. It is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. This internationally renowned Finnish telecommunications company makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices.