Wifi calling - need your help please

Beanster

Hi,
I'm in an area where I get little mobile signal and am thinking about using wifi calling instead.
I need a new mobile handset so wondering how it all works and is it best to get a sim only deal and set handset, or get a contract phone and mobile package.
I'd really value any experience from the Forum and useful tips to look out for please?
Thanks

d123

Wificalling is only available on certain handsets, mainly iPhone and branded Android phones sold direct by the network.

What network are you considering and what type of phone?

Sim only and buying the phone outright is normally cheaper than a handset contract.

[Deleted User]

Just a side note as well that WiFi calling is UK only

Energize

You can call anyone, anywhere using wifi with apps like skype.

dj1471

d123 wrote: »

Wificalling is only available on certain handsets, mainly iPhone and branded Android phones sold direct by the network.

It depends on the network. On 3 you can simply download the app onto any Android phone (no doubt there's an app for iPhone too).

The other potential solution to the lack of signal is to get your own mobile cell, e.g. Vodafone's Sure Signal:
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/accessories/sure-signal/

d123

dj1471 wrote: »

It depends on the network. On 3 you can simply download the app onto any Android phone (no doubt there's an app for iPhone too).

The other potential solution to the lack of signal is to get your own mobile cell, e.g. Vodafone's Sure Signal:
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/accessories/sure-signal/

The discussion relates to native wificalling rather than apps that allow calls to be made using WiFi.

Apps that allow calls over WiFi are usually temperamental and clumsy to use.

WifiCalling:

http://ee.co.uk/why-ee/wifi-calling

colin79666

I can confirm Wi-Fi calling works on an Apple bought iPhone 7 (i.e. unlocked) on both Three and EE. I've found EE to be more reliable, Three didn't always switch over to Wi-Fi calling.

The main networks also do VOIP apps but native Wi-Fi calling is the best experience, especially on iPhone where you can't integrate a different phone app as much as you can on Android. I've used the Three app and O2 TuGo in the past but found them unreliable for incoming calls.

With the native Wi-Fi calling I walk into work, phone connects to to the Wi-Fi and just works. If I start a call and walk out the office (where there actually is an EE signal) then the call carries on with the phone and network handling the handover between systems seamlessly. Text messages also come over Wi-Fi calling on iPhone.

Note with either system your calls still are charged to your account or out your minutes allocation.

Beanster

Thanks for the useful info.
I'm looking at EE and possibly a Huawei handset. A friend mentioned that his Huawei handset (I think a P10?) has wifi calling ability.

I'll need to look in to a sim and handset separately if it's a bit cheaper.

I use Skype quite a bit mainly for family calls but mainly I use a mobile for everything else.

Maybe I just have to do lots of internet searching and trawl the EE website for details on which handsets they suggest? Sorry for the noddy questions, I'm just not familiar with how it generally works!

20aday

Beanster wrote: »

Thanks for the useful info.
I'm looking at EE and possibly a Huawei handset. A friend mentioned that his Huawei handset (I think a P10?) has wifi calling ability.

I'll need to look in to a sim and handset separately if it's a bit cheaper.

I use Skype quite a bit mainly for family calls but mainly I use a mobile for everything else.

Maybe I just have to do lots of internet searching and trawl the EE website for details on which handsets they suggest? Sorry for the noddy questions, I'm just not familiar with how it generally works!

According to EE's website the Huawei P10 does indeed support Wi-Fi Calling.

AFAIK only EE, Three (and now iD Mobile) support both Wi-Fi Calling for phone calls and SMS; o2 and Vodafone only support Wi-Fi Calling for calls.

System

3 (and probably MVNO iD) seem to support WiFi calling universally - if you have a compatible equipment.

All the others have various restrictions such as pay monthly only.

indesisiv

Heng_Leng wrote: »

3 (and probably MVNO iD) seem to support WiFi calling universally - if you have a compatible equipment.

All the others have various restrictions such as pay monthly only.

I had to flash my phone with 3's software in order for it to work with wifi calling. It was a sim free phone bought straight from Sony.