Mixed results - but generally okay

The first thing I tried after receiving the phone was to call Skype test call. The quality was horrible, there was so much noise and I could barely hear anything, but that. I communicated with Netgear's support staff and they went through the normal steps: upgrade firmware and reset phone. I had already done that, so that wouldn't make any difference. I then decided to call a regular phone and that actually worked quite well. I still need to call Skype on a computer to see if the quality matches the test call, but as a phone at home it serves the purpose. I have tried to see if it could be used on the road, but the few free hot-spots around here all need a browser login and the SPH101 does not provide that feature. There is a special firmware upgrade on Netgears web-site that seems to provide connectivity via T-Mobile, but last I checked that would be $40 a month so this would not make sense as that is what I pay for my regular T-mobile plan.