[Joey H]

Hello all,

I have a Blackberry 8320 from T-Mobile, and I just love it. Especially at my job, where I can use the built in Wi-Fi to make phone calls, since where I work there is hardly any coverage. I work at a high school as a computer tech, and our server room is in the basement.

The other tech just got a new 8530i from Nextel about an hour ago. He also does not have any signal in the server room. I set him up on the Wi-Fi network, and he was able to browse the web and use emails without an issue, but when we try to make calls, it just says "radio path unavailable".

So is it possible to make calls from the 8530i over Wi-Fi? If so, how? and if not, is this feature gonna be available in the future?

[dynamicrockstar469]

Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile BB 8320 OS 4.5.0.81)

I don't think that the 8350i is UMA enabled, or if Nextel has UMA enabled. Mods?

[Freshapple]

I got this from a website online. - Hopefully one of these VoIP apps will work for you...


We’ve already been there for iPhone VoIP, but what about all you BlackBerry users? What do you do for cheap calls on your BlackBerry? Do you use a phone card or an override provider to cut costs?

Fortunately there is another way to make cheap calls on your BB: VoIP. There is a choice of mobile Voice over IP apps and services for BlackBerries that let you make cheap calls, send text messages, IM with friends and even transfer files on the fly. These are mostly free downloads, but some are also web-based which makes them even easier and more convenient to use.

So without further ado, here are the best BlackBerry VoIP apps, services and tools. Go and check them out!

Truphone [Recommended]
This really is a full featured VoIP solution for the Blackberry, one that you can actually use and trust without compromise. Installing Truphone on your Blackberry is relatively simple: Truphone will text you a link to download their application to your Blackberry and from there on it’s a case of following the instructions. But it’s the cost cutting and not the easy install that will attract you to Truphone! If you’re on the road a lot then Truphone will save you on international calls by routing calls over the internet. You don’t even have to be connected to the internet to save money: if you are offline and use Truphone to make the call then they route it via the internet and you’ll still save money. It’s a no brainer really. Got Blackberry? Get truphone.

Gizmo5
You may already be familiar with the desktop version of Gizmo5, which is one of the foremost Skype competitors. Gizmo5 for BlackBerry is an application that you download and install which lets you make free calls to your Gizmo5 contacts, IM with friends on Gizmo5, AIM, MSN, GTalk, Yahoo! and Jabber, as well as transfer files. Calls from your BlackBerry to mobiles and landlines are vastly cheaper whether domestic or international, as are text messages. The interface is simple; if you’ve ever used a softphone or IM client then you’ll be able to use this without any problem.

EQO
EQO lets you do more than just make cheap VoIP calls on your BlackBerry. With Eqo you can easily chat with contacts on MSN, AIM, GTalk, ICQ, Jabber and Yahoo! all from within the application. But what you’ll probably be more interested in is the ability to use Eqo to make cheap calls and send text messages for less using your BlackBerry’s data plan. It’s very easy to setup and use, as well as being reliable. Would I recommend EQO? Yep.

Nimbuzz
One of the most frequently used features of the Nimbuzz application is the ability to IM with your friends on Skype, GTalk, AIM, MSN, Yahoo! and Jabber. Nimbuzz will use up your mobile minutes to make calls at local rate (regardless of where you are, subject to availability, and who you are calling) from your BlackBerry, but they are working on an updated version allowing full VoIP functionality that will make use of your data plan. I really do like Nimbuzz, but if you are a heavy user and need to cut back on the cost of international calls there are other options also worth a look in.

Nimbuzz also have a handy VoIP widget that can be embedded on blogs, websites and profile pages on Facebook, MySpace etc.

Yeigo
This South Africa-based company offers a mobile VoIP solution that has good support for many BlackBerry phones. The free download offers multiple features including text chat, IM (Yahoo!, MSN, GTalk, AIM), SMS and voice calls all in one simple interface. Yeigo makes use of your data plan so calls are made using VoIP / P2P technology and will not use your mobile minutes. This is a good option for making cheap calls on your BlackBerry.

Raketu
This is a popular web-based service that requires no download, you just navigate to their page on your BlackBerry and login to your account. Once you have stocked up on some credit you can make cheap calls using their service. I;ve found that the Raketu site isn’t particularly super-intuitive, but nevertheless it will save you money, especially when overseas.

iSkoot
If you need to stay in touch with your Skype contacts on your BlackBerry then take a look at iSkoot. This is a hybrid VoIP / GSM product that uses your minutes when making calls or having a text chat with your friends on Skype. If most of your contacts are not on Skype, then it would be worthwhile looking into a pure mobile VoIP service that relies on data transfer instead as these will work out cheaper.

WebMessenger Mobile for Skype
This is a piece of software that you download onto your BlackBerry that lets you communicate with your Skype contacts, via Skype on your home computer. Therefore to use WebMessenger you must always have your home computer turned on with Skype running, which for me is a considerable drawback.

WebMessenger works by sending a request from your BlackBerry to Skype on your computer over the wireless internet, which when received, initiates a call to your contact via your SkypeOut account. This is a bit of a hack, but if you use Skype a lot then it’s worth considering. Both a free and paid version are available.

vBuzzer
This is another web-based call-back service available to BlackBerry users. It works in a way similar to Jajah; enter your number, enter your friend’s number and you get connected. vBuzzer is mostly known for their desktop softphone, but their mobile version is worth a look, especially if you already use vBuzzer or have contacts that use it frequently.

VoIP.com
VoIP.com is an established pure VoIP provider who also offer their service for BlackBerry users, as well as Windows Mobile and Java-enabled phones. The VoIP.com app will use your data plan to get you those all-important discounted rates on phone calls from your BB. You will need to setup an account with them to use the service.

[dynamicrockstar469]

Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile BB 8320 OS 4.5.0.81)

I think the OP wants UMA on the 8350i, not third party voip.

[Joey H]

That is exactly what we need - UMA. Does anyone know if it is possible, or if it's a planed feature?

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by Joey H

That is exactly what we need - UMA. Does anyone know if it is possible, or if it's a planed feature?

You'd need to contact your carrier. They'd need to support UMA. Otherwise you'd have to check into the VOIP options above.

[southwestcomm]

UMA is not supported on the 8350i - just data via WiFi.

[TroyDBrown]

T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier to support UMA. Also there is no VoIP solution for BlackBerrys. All of the above listed services are dial around services.

[NJBlackBerry]

What he said.

[Freshapple]

Does anyone know how many Wi-Fi connections I can add to the 8350i before it is maxed out?

[Freshapple]

Originally Posted by Joey H

That is exactly what we need - UMA. Does anyone know if it is possible, or if it's a planed feature?

I' almost positive that the UMA will not be offered or unlocked by Nextel anytime in the future. Hopefully you are able to use any of the following for VoIP and help you connect to the outside world from the cellular dungeon that you work in at the school.
Doesn't Google Talk or Skype work for free to other users with the same app?

[southwestcomm]

I currently have 4 WiFi profiles set up....don't know the max

Originally Posted by Freshapple

Does anyone know how many Wi-Fi connections I can add to the 8350i before it is maxed out?