The northern Finish city of Oulu is the first in the world to try out UMA

The northern Finish city of Oulu is the first in the world to try out UMA (unlicensed mobile access) technology in anger. From its population of 128962, 50 families will be using the new Nokia 6136 phone to switch seamlessly between WiFi, VoIP access and standard GSM when not in range of a WiFi hotspot.

“This pilot project is an important step forward in bringing functional UMA technology to the mass market,” Nokia mobile phones research and development senior vice president Peter Ropke said. “Both operators and consumers will be able to garner the benefits of this new technology.”

What are these benefits? As far as the consumer goes it will allow them to dispense with a landline altogther as long as they have a WiFi network at home. Telecommunications companies like the idea as installing WiFi hotspots is a lot cheaper than mobile phone basestations and they will be able to offer network access to remote areas at a much lower cost.

Which brings us back to Oulu. Quite apart from being the home of Technopolis, the first technology park in Scandanavia, Oulu has invested in a free WiFi network across the city centre, making it perfect for Nokia’s trial.