The Nokia 6126 is only the second Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) handset, after Samsung SGH-T709, to arrive with an estimated time of release. Both phones should ship during the second quarter; the Samsung in the U.S. from T-Mobile and the Nokia from operator Orange in the United Kingdom.

UMA or dual-mode phones can automatically detect the fastest and most cost-effective network available, cellular or Wi-Fi, at home or on the road. When a user with a UMA-enabled handset - like the 6136 - enters a WLAN, for example, the phone switches his call from cellular to a Voice over IP connection.

With voice revenue slowly declining, operators are looking towards content to make up the difference. They're banking on dual-mode convergence as one tool to do so, because the additional bandwidth of a Wi-Fi network should encourage mobile subscribers to use more data services, such as Web, e-mail, MMS, music, video, handset TV, etc.

Along with the 6136, Nokia provides network operators with the UMA Network Controller (UNC) that links their broadband and GSM networks together. Nokia VP, networks Roberto Loiola says, "Our approach to UMA clearly demonstrates Nokia's solid advantage in providing complete solutions that encompass networks, terminals and system integration."

In addition to dual-mode, quad-band GSM celullar/Wi-Fi, the clamshell 6136 includes a 1.3 megapixel camera, a microSD memory card slot, and a stereo FM radio with Visual Radio support. Its screen supports 262,000 colors.

The phone gets about 5 hours of talk as a cell phone and 5.5 hours in Wi-Fi mode. Standby in Wi-Fi is only 82 hours, while it’s 280 hours for cellular.

Pricing information hasn't been released yet. And don't be surprised if the 6136 finds its away across the Atlantic, perhaps on T-Mobile's roster, shortly after its U.K. launch.

Nokia 6131
The highlight of this new flip phone - another quad-band - is its 240 x 320 pixel high-resolution display that supports 16 million colors. This model is a EDGE networking handset as well, and includes a built-in digital music player plus an FM stereo radio with Visual Radio, like the 6136. The 6131 has a 1.3 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom, Bluetooth, microSD card slot and Nokia Xpress audio messaging and push to talk connectivity too.

Nokia expects to ship the 6131 in European, Asian, African and select Latin American markets in the second quarter for 275 euros (about $327). A version for North American markets will be announced later this year.

Nokia 6070
The low-cost candy-bar 6070 delivers basic camera phone capabilities and a stereo FM radio. It is based on Nokia's Series 40 user interface and will include push to talk, voice recorder and an integrated hands free speaker. Like the other new 6000 phones, there's a stereo FM radio, as well as true tones, MP3 and polyphonic MIDI ring tone support. The 6070 is due in June for 135 euros ($160)