Telecom industry players are spending a huge amount of money to improve network coverage. Yet, we are at a time when there’s no guarantee over call drops. There have been times when calls have suddenly got disconnected after users hit a blackspot. Drops don’t need to happen in public places only, we might have certain areas in our homes where the mobile signal gets weak or non-existent. Moreover, we still have many such areas in the country that do not have mobile internet connectivity or the network is faint.
Modern mobile networks are fairly widespread and reliable these days, but not a single network is immune to blackspots and poor reception. This is where Wi-Fi calling comes to the rescue and having this feature can make a difference. This service has been around for a while, but it is important to note that all handsets and network providers do not support this service. Let us discuss what Wi-Fi calling is and how it is useful.
What is Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling, as the name suggests, is a feature that allows users to make calls through a Wi-Fi connection (like your home internet) from their mobile devices. This service turns out to be useful in situations where you have weak mobile reception, but have access to a Wi-Fi network. However, it is important to note that Wi-Fi calling only supports audio calls and cannot be used for video calls.
Requirements for using this service
There are some prerequisites for using this feature. Users will need to have a compatible mobile device, a telecom provider that supports the service and most importantly a Wi-Fi network with a good signal. A strong Wi-Fi network is very important if you don’t want to face the same issue that you encountered due to poor mobile reception.
The cost of Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling is a free service that is included with your home internet bill. You don’t have to pay anything extra for this feature, except for the cost of the WiFi connection. There will be no extra charges from your telecom provider for using the service or any other costs that you are usually charged for regular calls if your mobile plan doesn’t have unlimited calls.
Advantages of Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling is not the ultimate solution but this service can be useful in certain situations. This service turns out to be a life-saver in mobile blackspots or areas with weak mobile signals. In such situations, if you have a strong WiFi connection, you can make your life easier with this service.
Some parts of your house may have weak mobile signals but the WiFi calling service can be more reliable at home, as WiFi modem/router signals are likely to be near you. Users don’t need to download an additional app to use this service if your device and telecom provider supports it. All you need to do is enable the feature. Moreover, telecom providers usually don’t charge users extra money for this service.
How is Wi-Fi calling different from VoLTE calling
Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) calling is very much different from the Wi-Fi calling service. Unlike Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE allows users to call over a 4G network that also requires access to a mobile network. However, accessing both the services can be limited to your device and your network provider. Although these are two separate services, in some cases, having VoLTE enabled on your device might also automatically enable WiFi calling on your device or vice versa.
VoLTE calls are also a free service and users don’t need to bear any additional charges on their phone bills for accessing this service. VoLTE calling might not even count as part of your mobile data usage. Users don’t need to worry about the extra charges if they have unlimited standard national calls on their phone plan. Nevertheless, if you’re concerned about additional charges, it is better to directly check the matter with your telecom provider.
