MSE News: EE customers without signal can have calls connected via wifi

Former_MSE_Helen

EE's new service automatically detects and uses a wifi connection to make and receive calls and texts...

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EE customers without signal can have calls connected via wifi




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grumbler

"new service", not "news service"?

ETA: feel free to delete my post after editing yours.

bod1467

Virgin's Smartcall app on the other hand, which is also available on both iPhones and Androids, can be used by any Virgin Media landline customer (regardless of which firm their mobile contract is with) to call any number that is allowed within your Virgin Phone talk plan.

Some of these do not include mobiles but Virgin says you will only be able to place a call if there's no extra charge, plus unlike the other apps, the calls come out of your landline allowance rather than your mobile allowance.

BT offer this same feature ... via their SmartTalk app.

The difference with the EE offering is the option to auto-switch to using wifi. The others require you to dial using the apps - in some respects I think I prefer this, as it puts me in control and not my phone or the network.

Pincher

It would be interesting if you roam using BT-FON Wi-Fi when out and about.


Also, as you are calling a normal phone the other end, it should still count towards your inclusive minutes.

robbies_gal

isnt it just certain phones though

bod1467

robbies_gal wrote: »

isnt it just certain phones though

For the EE option - yes, for now. And perhaps also only EE branded ones. (I don't know whether EE put their own tweaked OS on the phones).

LizB62

robbies_gal wrote: »

isnt it just certain phones though

Yes, currently iPhone 5C, 5S, 6 or 6 Plus
And, from today, Samsung Galaxy S6 and S5

Other phones will be added - I'm sure they'll update the list here when more are available: http://ee.co.uk/ee-and-me/network/wifi-calling

Some older phones won't support WiFi Calling so not every phone will eventually be able to use it, however I'd guess that every new phone will e.g. the Nokia Lumia 640 will support it when it launches on EE (already out on other networks I believe?)

LizB62

bod1467 wrote: »

For the EE option - yes, for now. And perhaps also only EE branded ones. (I don't know whether EE put their own tweaked OS on the phones).

iPhones will be able to use WiFi Calling as they're not branded.

The Samsungs will need to have the EE version of Lollipop to be able to use WiFi Calling

robbies_gal

cheers all

so if u get a phone say from CPW it wouldnt work

LizB62

robbies_gal wrote: »

cheers all

so if u get a phone say from CPW it wouldnt work

I'm guessing that if you got it on an EE contract via CPW it would be fine, but if you buy just the handset with no contract, that it won't (as they'll be from different sources, so will have different versions of Android on them).
It might be that there is a way round it, however I'm no expert :-)

m5rcc

If you have no signal at home with EE, ask for their Femtocell Signal Box device that plugs into your router. I've had it ever since T-Mobile and Orange merged...