You might have heard the acronym UMA before in reference to BlackBerry. It stands for Unlicensed Mobile Access, but that’s probably not what you’re wondering. What does it do for you? In short, it allows you to move between an unlicensed network, usually in reference to WiFi, and a mobile network. For an article detailing the nuances of what UMA means, you can check out this article at Network World. It’s the best article I found on it. UMA BlackBerry devices include the 8820, the Pearl 8120, the Curve 8320, and the Bold.
Now that we know this, you might be wondering: What’s the difference between UMA and uma, as displayed on my BlackBerry?
If your browser says UMA in capital letters, you’re set. This means you can use basically all functions over the UMA connection. This includes making calls, if you have T-Mobile’s Hotspot @Home service, or the comparable Rogers service. Have fun surfing at high speeds with a WiFi connection, while plenty of suckers out there plod along at EDGE speeds.
If the phone says uma in lowercase letters, you can use phone functions, just not the Internet. This, clearly, is not optimal, and can usually be resolved by turning your WiFi off, and then back on. However, it might come down to using the solution to every BlackBerry problem. In any case, you should be seeing capital letters in no time.
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This was an unexpected bonus that came with my 8220. At first I was mystified by the “UMA” and the name of my wireless network on the screen, but after a bit of research I realized what was happening. T-Mobile isn’t exactly clear about what you get with their Hotspot@Home service, but I’m pretty sure that even if you don’t pay for the service ($10/month) you can still make calls over Wifi when you’re in range. The difference is that your rate plan still governs usage of minutes, so daytime minutes still count for calls originated over Wifi whereas they’re always free with @Home. For me, it just means that I now get perfect coverage using UMA at home over my existing Wifi router, a big improvement for no additional service cost.
I inquired about UMA on the Bold with Skype PR last week and they confirmed that UMA is not currently supported on the Bold; it’s not in the specs. But the Bold does provide data access over WiFi access points.
Correction: I inquired with RIM PR last week ….
This article is incorrect about one thing. You CAN use internet over uma (lowercase).
I bought my BB 8520 in USA, unlocked, but I live in Venezuela, and I associated to a local phone company, Movistar. Recently I travel to Orlando and I could connect it throug UMA, when I was connected to WIFI, but only for a few days, at my thirdth day the UMA conection dissapear and never shows up again. Anybody knows what happened? My brothe did the same thing, when he bought his, but he associated with another mobile company: Digitel, and he always could be connected through UMA. What happened so? Depends on mobile company?
Forgot to say that my brothe’s BB is 8320. Now I want to connect it, here in Venezuela with UMA, how to do it?
does UMA work on ATT
nope UMA will not work on the ATT network
so how can i get the UMA instead of the uma so i can get on the net. I have the new BB curve
@frankie it would depend on who your carrier is and what model of BlackBerry you own.
Not all configurations support UMA.
My name is Uma =D
Hiya, I have a Curve 8900 and dont have a very good mobile reception in the office, only get 1 bar. Can I use UMA to boost the signal as we have a Wi-fi network within the office and signal is pretty good. If so, how do I get this to work, as I called Orange and they told me that it should automatically do it. Thanks in advance.
@Mo It appears as though Orange have some issues with their ability to support UMA.
This thread sheds some light on the issue: http://www.blackberryforums.com/wifi-hotzone/226048-uma-issues-orange-uk.html
this might also come in handy as far as router settings:
http://forums.crackberry.com/f100/uma-setup-how-206217/
http://forums.crackberry.com/f146/orange-uk-uma-help-363694
I just started using UMA and i love being @ home and talking on the phone while surfing the internet even tho i do have a laptop where i can just jump on that but its fun that i can be on the phone on the couch and mess around with google or facebook
Hello I have a blackberry bold 9780 and I am ignorant to all this blackberry stuff. I just saw UMA on my phone too. does this mean that I can make FREE international calls and if i get rid of my data plan can I surf the net for free?
@Anna you can use UMA to make calls over WiFi – I would check with your service provider to see exactly what they bill for.
When i get this UMA on my BB Bold i cant use calls or txts, also my BlackBerry messenger doesnt work with this signal… any hints or tops on how to fix this?
Many thanks
I’ve just read all the suggestions an decided I would try turn my wifi connection off, my signal was instantly boosted to better then it’s even been with the exception of slightly slower Internet connection!
Does Sprint support the UMA or uma network
hiya :’)
i have the bb 8520 and it keeps coming up with UMA and now my bbm and bb internet isn’t working. how do i get it working again ???
i can still send and receive text and make and receive phone calls xx
Hi I’m using a torch on tmo unlock but it only say EDGE. Can anybody tell me how I make it UMA PLZ. N wat r the benefits? Thx.
When connected through UMA can I make international calls for free? :-s
UMA is situated on my screen, but my bbm doesn’t seem to be working even though I still have the bb sign which means i’m meant to be having bbm. I thought it was because my payment is over but everything else seems to be working fine. I’ve tried taking the battery out and everything. My network is orange if that helps solve anything. Anyone know what my problem is? :S
Do BT as my broadband provider or my mobile phone provider charge me for making calls/text using UMA?
Hi, I have a BBCURVE 9360. It is unlocked and I have an orange payasyougo 3g sim in there. for some reason I can’t recieve incoming calls or texts. It says uma(lowercase) there. I have pulled the battery and the sim and also switched off the wifi. I can connect to the net via my home router. The main reason for getting the phone was to be able to access skype when I am out but I can’t even do that through my router at home! Any ideas? I have considered a pay as you go 3 sim but I’m not sure if it will work and don’t want to pay out until I am but when I tried for skype it said I needed a telkomel sim or something althought it downloaded and installed with no fuss. please help I need to be able to use this phone and access skype xxx
Hi, I have a Blackberry Curve and when uma is displayed i am unable to make or receive calls. This also pops up when im in the middle of a call and cuts me off, can you tell me how to stop this….
Thanks