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As you probably already know, T-Mobile is running tests of their new and improved Hotspot @Home service. The idea is that they sell you a special router, and then port your home phone number into the company. So now you receive calls to your home via VoIP, which is what most of the major telephone carriers use nowadays, anyway. And it’s just $10 per month, so you’re beating the pants off of most deals. However, not all of this comes without a catch (it never does). Gizmodo has a number of things to keep in mind regarding Hotspot @Home, and I think they’re worth sharing.

Your cell SIM and your home SIM must be kept separate. It’s nice to think that you can just drop a SIM in wherever you want, but it doesn’t always work like that. You also shouldn’t reverse the issue and use your cell phone SIM in the router. There are two slots, but they’re for separate lines. Among the drawbacks of putting your cell SIM in the router is improper E911 information.

The biggest caveat of all is that you need to spend at least $40 per month to be eligible to add the service on for an additional $10. Looking through T-Mobile’s plans, it appears that only the Individual Basic plan comes in under that. However, I know a friend who pays roughly $25 per month for about 500 minutes — he’s been with the company for four years. So make sure your base monthly plan is above the $40 threshold if you want Hotspot.

Oh, and if you have DSL Internet, you should check with your provider to make sure that they don’t require you to use their landline service in conjunction. In other words, this works best with “naked” DSL. Also, faxes don’t currently work, though they’re trying to fix that problem.

All in all, though, this looks like one of the most innovative service offered by a major telecom. Even the “things you should know first” list isn’t all that bad.

[Gizmodo]

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