Everything you need to know about Wi-Fi calling
Curious about Wi-Fi calling and what
it entails? CNET has the rundown on what you need to know.
www.cnet.com
by Lynn
La
@batteryhq / July 30, 20166:00 AM
PDT
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A Wi-Fi network can place calls when
you're trapped in an area with spotty phone signal.James Martin/CNET
In addition to offering customers a cheaper alternative to
their phone plans, one of the main draws of networks that integrate Wi-Fi
technology likeRepublic Wireless and
Google's Project Fi is they will seamlessly
switch a user's phone service between cellular and Wi-Fi when needed.
Wi-Fi calling is nothing new; apps like Skype, Google
Hangouts, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp make it easier to use a
phone to place calls and send texts over the internet and forgo mobile networks
altogether. Carriers are also adopting Wi-Fi calling themselves. Whether it's
because they want to bolster their network coverage or improve user experience,
several networks have phones that have this service baked in.
To help you make sense of what Wi-Fi calling is, why it's
important and what you can use it for, CNET put together a handy guide to walk
you through everything you need to know.
Editors' Note:This article was originally
published on October 8, 2015, and was updated on July 30, 2016, with additional
news about Wi-Fi networks.
What
is Wi-Fi calling?
Instead of using your carrier's network connection, you can
make voice calls via a Wi-Fi network. That could mean using a Wi-Fi connection
you have set up at home, or whatever Wi-Fi hotspot you happen to be on when
you're out and about, such as at a cafe or library. In most ways, it's like any
other phone call, and you still use regular phone numbers.
Why
would I want that?
Wi-Fi calling is especially useful when you're in an area
with weak carrier coverage. For example, when you're traveling to the
residential countryside, or you're in a building with spotty reception. You may
already be familiar with using Wi-Fi to sendmessages when SMS
texting is unavailable (apps like Kik and Facebook Messenger provide these
services) -- and the same applies when you're trying to place a call. With
Wi-Fi, you can call a friend up even if you're in a dingy, underground bar
(assuming you can connect to the bar's Wi-Fi, that is.)
Isn't
that what Skype does?
Built-in Wi-Fi calling has some
advantages over third-party services like Skype.
Josep Lago/AFP, Getty Images
In a way, yes. There are various services including Skype,
Viber, WhatsApp andFacebook Messenger that provide
what's known under the umbrella term VoIP, for "voice over Internet
Protocol," to make calls with either a Wi-Fi or data connection.
Carrier-branded Wi-Fi calling is a bit different, however.
It's baked directly into the phone's dialer, so you don't need to fire up an
app or connect to a service to use it. You can set it as your default way of
placing a call, or if you lose phone signal, it will automatically switch to
Wi-Fi calling.
Because the service is built in, that also means you don't
need to add contacts to a service as you do with Skype. You'll have access to
your existing phone book, and your friends can receive your Wi-Fi call without
needing to download a third-party app. With no contacts to add, carrier Wi-Fi
calling requires little effort to set up.
What
carriers and phones support this service?
All four major US carriers (T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and Verizon)
provide built-in Wi-Fi calling. Republic Wireless and Google Project Fi provide
Wi-Fi calling on certain phones too. The former carries nine Android handsets,
while only three phones (the Nexus 6P, 5X and 6) work on the latter. Republic
Wireless gets support from Sprint's network if connection is unavailable, while
Google uses T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular.
Currently, T-Mobile has 27 smartphones that support this
option. As for Sprint, Wi-Fi calling is available on
a number of iPhone models that run iOS
9.1 or higher. Several Android devices
have the service as well, but you'll need to check through your handset's
Settings menu to see if you have it. AT&T offers Wi-Fi calling foreight handsets,
while Verizon has 14 phone in its Wi-Fi lineup.
T-Mobile and Sprint were the first
major carriers to support Wi-Fi calling. Now AT&T and Verizon have added
the service as well.
Josh Miller/CNET
Does
it cost more?
For domestic calls, it doesn't cost any extra as such. But
making calls over Wi-Fi can come out of your regular minutes allowance
depending on your carrier and your phone plan. Be sure to read the policies of
your carrier to see if any of their potential restrictions and charges relate
to your situation. Click the following to read the restrictions for T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and Verizon.
If you're running out of minutes, using services like Skype
or WhatsApp will help avoid incurring any additional charges.
Can
I use it overseas without paying huge amounts?
Again, that depends. T-Mobile lets you make and receive
Wi-Fi calls for free between 140 countries. Sprint customers won't be charged
for calls made to, from or between the US, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico, but they will be charged "international calling plan rates" for
other countries. Also, four of its Android phones don't support international
Wi-Fi calling: the HTC One
Max, Sharp Aquos, HTC Desire 510 and Kyocera Hydro Vibe.
Unless you have an iPhone running iOS 9.3,
both AT&T and Verizon charge for international Wi-Fi calls, whether you buy
an international plan or pay per use.
Republic Wireless only supports Wi-Fi calling for the US and
Canada. You can make calls to Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Johnston Atoll, Midway Atoll and Wake Island,
however, but may be charged 50 cents per minute. Project Fi works in more than
135 countries, but you should check
specific rates depending on the country you're calling to
and from. You'll also only be charged for outbound calls.
Enlarge Image
Google got into the Wi-Fi calling
mix with its Project Fi.
Josh Miller/CNET
If you're going abroad and want to keep in touch,
it's best to stick with Skype and WhatsApp when you're connected to a building
or hotel's Wi-Fi. You can use data, but remember that it will cost you a lot if
you're roaming on cellular networks. If you don't have a roaming plan, make
sure you only use Wi-Fi and turn off data roaming in your Settings before
heading out.
Do
I need a fast Wi-Fi connection?
Though the higher throughput you have the better your
connection will be, a minimum of 1Mbps should be enough to patch a solid call
through. Republic Wireless reports that it can hold a call with 80kbps, but the
quality may decrease and you'll experience more dropped calls as well.
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