UTStarcom today announced tthe global launch of its newest portable WiFi handset — the F3000.

The F1000 handset, launched last year, was their first-generation WiFi phone. UTStarcom’s F3000 is a clamshell that features a full-color, 1.8″ LCD screen, polyphonic ringtones, text messaging capability and talk-time of up to three hours and stand-by time of approximately 75 hours.

The phone supports a range of voice protocols, including SIP, SDP, RTP/RTCP and RFC 2833/inband DTMF. It operates at WiFi 802.11b/g and supports WiFi security WEP64/128 and WPA. It is said to be easily configured, supporting auto-provisioning and remote software upgrades.

An Auto-Search capability, enables users to locate WiFi networks within range and store these profiles for later use. Moreover, the handset can be programmed with three separate SIP accounts, providing both service provider and access point flexibility for the end user.

UTStarcom will have lots of competiton. SMC’s WiFi Skype Phone can run Skype without connection to a computer. Tom’s Networking says Linksys could be jumping into the Wi-Fi Skype phone fray, too.

Then there are the Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) phones that T-Mobile is testing in Seattle. They will be able to automatically switch from cellular service (outdoors) to WiFi (indoors) without missing a beat. The Samsung SGH-T709 (above), may be used by T-Mobile’s cellular network.

Eventually, the T-Mobile dual-mode service could be expanded to T-Mobile’s 7,836 hot spots located in airports, cafes and other public areas, throughout the country.

Posted by Sam Churchill on Tuesday, September 12th, 2006 at 1:33 am.