Wi-Fi Calling seems to be the new "in" tech-thing of the moment.
Apple recently rolled out a software update that expanded support for the feature to Sprint in the US and EE in the UK, and now everybody is talking about what it is, how it works, and how it's different from apps like WhatsApp.
The whole idea behind Wi-Fi Calling is that it should help reduce the amount of minutes and texts you would typically use up in your plan every month, as calls and text placed over Wi-Fi won't ever count against your carrier plan.
The thought of saving money likely piques your interest just as much as it does for us. Pocket-lint has therefore uncovered all the facts about Wi-Fi Calling, with the purpose of helping everyone decide whether it is worth trying.
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
Wi-Fi Calling is exactly what you're thinking: a free feature that allows you to send and receive calls (and even texts) over a Wi-Fi network instead of a traditional mobile network. It's a handy feature should you find yourself in an area with poor signal, because it lets you take advantage of open hotspots to stay connected.
More specifically, with Wi-Fi Calling, cellular packets of a phone call or text message are transferred over the internet from your mobile device to your carrier (whilst utilising higher data speeds than most cellular connections), then piped through the cellular network, and finally delivered to the intended recipient. Simples, right?
Aren't there apps that do the same thing?
Several popular apps - including messenger apps like WhatsApp and Skype and even apps from carriers like Three and O2 - allow you to send and receive calls/texts over a Wi-Fi network, but most of them do not offer the same type of Wi-Fi Calling enabled by specific networks and supported by select handsets.
First of all: when using an apps like WhatsApp, all your Wi-Fi Calling activity is kept strictly within the app itself, meaning you'll need to check both WhatsApp and your usual phone dialer for any missed calls and texts. That can quickly get annoying for power users. But that's not the only significant difference.
Some apps (like Google Hangouts, Skype, etc) use call forwarding or an internet-based interface and therefore won't connect to your actual phone number, but because Wi-Fi Calling directly sends cellular packets to your carrier's network (using the internet instead of cell towers), you can keep and use your carrier number.
But what happens when you get disconnected from Wi-Fi?
The major downside to Wi-Fi Calling is that ongoing phone calls cannot transfer back to your mobile network when kicked off a hotspot. So, if you start a call on Wi-Fi while at Starbucks, but then wander out of range, your mobile network won't be able to pick up the call, meaning your call will be cut off or dropped.
Google's Project Fi mobile network hopes to change all that. It'll keep you connected by intelligently determining if you're moving, then it automatically connects you to the fastest network, such as an open Wi-Fi hotspot or a partner 4G LTE network, and from that point, it'll help secure your data through encryption.
EE has also said it's working on a way to transition calls between mobile networks and Wi-Fi hotspots with something called VoLTE (voice over LTE), which is expected to launch in late 2015.
Which networks actually enable Wi-Fi Calling?
Before we go any further, you should know that Wi-Fi Calling requires two things: a device that supports the feature, and a network capable of handling it. Here's a list of networks that currently enable Wi-Fi Calling in the UK and US:
UK
- EE enabled Wi-Fi Calling on its network after Apple expanded support with the iOS 8.3 update
US
- T-Mobile enabled Wi-Fi Calling when Apple introduced the feature with iOS 8
- Sprint enabled Wi-Fi Calling on its network after Apple expanded support with the iOS 8.3 update
And which devices support Wi-Fi Calling?
Here's a list of devices that currently support Wi-Fi Calling, with links to their websites for more information about the devices that support Wi-Fi Calling as well as how to turn on the feature:
- EE UK (website) - iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone6, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Microsoft Lumia 640
- T-Mobile USA (website) promised to enable Wi-Fi Calling for all its devices
- Sprint USA (website) - iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus
How do you turn on Wi-Fi Calling?
Your phone should come with an instruction manual that explains how to set up Wi-Fi Calling, but you could just go to your carrier's website (links above) to find step-by-step guides. Most of the time you'll need to switch on an option under Settings, then notify your carrier that you plan to use Wi-Fi Calling, and that's it.
Once you're set up, simply use your phone as normal. You should see a new symbol (see first image) at the top of your phone when using Wi-Fi Calling. Keep in mind the other person/recipient doesn't need a device that supports Wi-Fi Calling (nor does he or she need to enable it with a carrier) for the feature to work.
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