I put matters into my hands and programmed a Linux TTY modem server that I can access over telnet/ssh. (Thank goodness I'm a programmer!)
Now I can access it from any wireless device I own (PocketPC, Blackberry, Sidekick) as long as it has a telnet/ssh client available. Instant wireless device freedom. My Linux TTY server is very similiar in behaviour to MCI's IP-Relay, but much faster. And I can call any TTY I want, rather than just Relay.
The latency is very good. Very fast. Much better than any wireless TTY solution I've used. Only 1 second transmission delay -- which makes my Linux TTY server faster than online relay services. (where the transmission lag is usually 2-3 seconds). It's realtime keypress-at-a-time transmission wireless TTY on my color Blackberry 7280 now, no need to type first and then press Enter. Configurable packettization/burstability - for word-at-a-time and halfword-at-a-time operation, or similiar to phrase-at-a-time operation, for networks that cannot handle keypress-at-a-time wireless transmission operation. Although Hiptop's "Terminal Monkey" software is confirmed to work with my Linux TTY server, I now use a color Blackberry 7280 which IMHO, is much better than Hiptop, but costs twice as much monthly and much more complex to set up at first. While the telnet client for Hiptop is free, the third party telnet client for Blackberry is expensive at $195 for the software alone (
www.idokorro.com). I've got instant messaging on all 4 networks now: Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, MSN, in one single Trillian-style contact list on my Blackberry using
www.webmessneger.com now. Battery life is excellent too - 4 continuous days of always-on instant messaging and email, with great reliability, since Blackberries was designed for mission critical business.
I've actually went into talks with a commercial provider about commercializing my Linux TTY server which I originally programmed for my personal use, but I think they decided to stick with their existing solution, or that there's been some financial problems caused by the drops in relay funding. (I'm still open to commercializing my Linux TTY server software...which I originally written just for my own personal use!) I've been way too busy with other things in my business to consider talks with other service providers in commercializing my solution. (I'm a self employed contract software engineer myself)
Incidentially, I tested MCI's Wireless IP-Relay on my Blackberry. Seems to work; but it seems quite a bit slower. I'll keep it on my Blackberry as a backup. It's always nice to have backups; and this does have the advantage of letting me directly connect to an MCI operator when I need one!
My Linux TTY software also has optional commanding (using IRC-style commands) for doing things such as macros, hangups, automatic "Please Call XXX-XXXX" transmission to relay operator. But doesn't require these commands. My Linux TTY server is capable of incoming calls, but generally, I prefer
www.dictomail.com for incoming calls... since people don't need to call a relay service to reach me!!
Note: It appears that MCI Wireless IP-Relay appears to be a device-independent service. That means it will work on older RIM pagers, the new Blackberries, HipTop, PalmPilot, PocketPC, TREO, even some cellphones, whatever has a telnet client available...