BT ToGo Brings Fixed Mobile Convergence for Home Hub
Written by martyndavies on May 08, 2008 - 02:45 PM
BT’s “ToGo” service was launched yesterday, offering BT Broadband customers the option of a GSM/WiFi mobile phone that integrates with the BT Home Hub. The handsets offered are the HTC S620, (normally worth £150, but included in the service price) and the HTC S710 (normally £200, but from BT £30 per month). The HTC handsets run Windows Mobile 6, which is adding the WiFi/VoIP capability to the solution, but these quad-band mobile can only manage GSM and GPRS/EDGE data, so can’t be used with 3G networks and don’t offer high-speed Internet access (UMTS or even HSPA) in the way that many Nokia phones would. Internet download allowance is a derisory 10Mb/month, which should be a misprint; after all, will this be enough to poll for email updates for a month?
In the home, the HTC handsets will link up to the BT Home Hub to give flat rate phone calls, which become chargeable by the minute if you stay connected over an hour. When roaming on GSM networks you get 50 minutes / 50 texts for £30/month. By comparison, UK Vodafone offer a service that offers 100 minutes and 50 texts for £20/month. BT offer further plans of 150/100 for £40/month, 250/150 for £45 and then 600/700 for £60. An 18 month contract is required, now common practice for all mobile networks.
On the plus side, VoIP over WiFi access also applies to BT Openzone hotspots, and also BT FON WiFi hotspots, assuming that you have already opted-in to this service. BT ToGo looks pricey for ones and twos, but perhaps it makes sense for large families; BT are offering up to 5 additional handsets for £30 each, plus £5/month service fee for each handset.
In the home, the HTC handsets will link up to the BT Home Hub to give flat rate phone calls, which become chargeable by the minute if you stay connected over an hour. When roaming on GSM networks you get 50 minutes / 50 texts for £30/month. By comparison, UK Vodafone offer a service that offers 100 minutes and 50 texts for £20/month. BT offer further plans of 150/100 for £40/month, 250/150 for £45 and then 600/700 for £60. An 18 month contract is required, now common practice for all mobile networks.
On the plus side, VoIP over WiFi access also applies to BT Openzone hotspots, and also BT FON WiFi hotspots, assuming that you have already opted-in to this service. BT ToGo looks pricey for ones and twos, but perhaps it makes sense for large families; BT are offering up to 5 additional handsets for £30 each, plus £5/month service fee for each handset.
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