Today’s technology is developing faster than ever, giving us a plethora of new ways to stay connected. One such way is Wi-Fi calling – but what exactly is Wi-Fi calling, and how can you use it?

How does Wi-Fi calling work?

Wi-Fi calling lets you use your existing phone number to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi network, without the need for a mobile signal. No need for a new phone number or a separate application – your voice during a call is transformed into digital data, much like an email or a photo you send online.

This works seamlessly, irrespective of the location of the recipient. Whether they are in the next room or halfway around the world, as long as they have a Wi-Fi connection, they can receive your call immediately.

How to set up Wi-Fi calling

Switching on Wi-Fi calling is usually a piece of cake. Although the precise steps may slightly differ based on your phone’s make and operating system (and please bear in mind that not all phones and carriers support Wi-Fi calling), here’s a broad stroke guide to get you started:

Firstly, head over to your phone’s settings menu. Had to the ‘Network & Internet’ option (or something similarly titled, depending on your phone’s model).

In this menu, you should spot a ‘Wi-Fi Calling’ option. If it isn’t immediately apparent, it might be tucked away under ‘Mobile Network’ or ‘Advanced’. Once you’ve located it, simply slide the switch to turn it on.

And there you have it! You’re all set to start making calls over Wi-Fi. Just remember, you’ll need to connect to a Wi-Fi network for this feature to work.

Pros and cons of Wi-Fi calling

Like most technologies, Wi-Fi calling has its strengths and weaknesses…

What are the benefits of Wi-Fi calling?

Wi-Fi calling enables superior call quality, especially if you have a strong Wi-Fi connection.
It’s a great workaround in areas with poor mobile signal, making it a lifeline in remote locations.
It also doesn’t require any additional applications or phone numbers, making it simple and convenient to use.

What are the disadvantages of Wi-Fi calling?

It’s heavily dependent on the quality and strength of your Wi-Fi network. Poor or unstable Wi-Fi connections can lead to substandard call quality or even dropped calls.
Not all devices or providers support Wi-Fi calling, limiting its universal accessibility.
In some instances, you may also find that calls made over Wi-Fi still deduct minutes from your mobile plan.

What is the difference between Wi-Fi calling and VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Wi-Fi calling are both technologies that allow you to make voice calls using the internet, but they operate in slightly different ways.

VoIP refers to the general technology that enables voice communication over the internet. VoIP calls can be made using various types of internet connections, such as broadband, 3G, 4G, or even satellite connections. It’s therefore not restricted to Wi-Fi and can work over any internet connection. As an example, Hyperoptic offers Broadband & Phone packages, where the phone service is delivered over VoIP technology.

Wi-Fi calling is a specific application of VoIP that allows you to make voice calls using a Wi-Fi network instead of a cellular network. It is typically associated with mobile phones. Used primarily on smartphones, it allows users to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi network instead of relying solely on cellular networks. This can be especially useful in areas with weak cellular signals.

Should I have Wi-Fi calling on or off?

Whether you should enable Wi-Fi calling on your phone depends on your specific needs and preferences.

If you frequently find yourself in areas with weak or no cellular signal but have access to a stable Wi-Fi connection, enabling Wi-Fi calling can help you make and receive calls in such situations. Wi-Fi calling can also provide high-quality voice calls, especially if your Wi-Fi network has a good internet connection.

Using Wi-Fi calling may have a slight impact on your device’s battery life, as it requires additional power for both Wi-Fi connectivity and the voice over IP (VoIP) protocol. However, the impact is usually minimal. In addition, Wi-Fi calling generally employs encryption to secure your voice data.

Finally, it’s important to consider that some emergency services may not support Wi-Fi calling or may have limited capabilities with it. Check with your local emergency services to understand the limitations.

Is Wi-Fi calling safe?

Wi-Fi calling is generally considered safe for everyday use. When making Wi-Fi calls, the transmission of voice and data is typically encrypted and most mobile providers implement security protocols, ensuring that the content remains private and secure. The security of Wi-Fi calling largely depends on the strength of the underlying Wi-Fi network, so it’s best to connect to a password-protected and secure Wi-Fi network.

However, it’s important to be mindful of the network you’re connected to since public and unsecured Wi-Fi networks pose potential risks. Employing additional security measures, such as keeping devices updated, using virtual private networks (VPNs), and disabling Wi-Fi calling on untrusted networks, can also help.

Is Wi-Fi calling free?

Wi-Fi calling is generally free it’s often included as part of your standard mobile plan and allows you to make calls over a Wi-Fi network instead of relying solely on cellular networks. While the Wi-Fi calling service itself does not typically incur additional charges, it’s important to be aware that data usage during Wi-Fi calls may still apply if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network and are using your mobile data. Check with your specific mobile carrier for details on Wi-Fi calling policies, potential charges, and any specific conditions that may apply to your plan.

Most popular FAQs

Does Wi-Fi calling use data?

Yes, Wi-Fi calling does use data. When you make a voice call using Wi-Fi calling, your voice data is transmitted over the internet as packets of data – but the amount of data used is relatively small compared to other data-intensive activities like streaming videos or downloading large files.

However, it’s always a good idea to check with your specific mobile provider to understand their policies regarding data usage for Wi-Fi calling, since many providers do not count Wi-Fi calling data usage against your data allowance.

Can you use Wi-Fi calling overseas?

For making international calls, Wi-Fi calling can be a cost-effective option as it can potentially avoid expensive roaming charges associated with traditional mobile networks. Your ability to make Wi-Fi calls overseas will be dependent on the Wi-Fi connection and availability where you are, however, as well as whether your mobile network provider supports Wi-Fi calling.

How fast does your connection need to be for Wi-Fi calling?

The speed requirements for Wi-Fi calling are relatively low compared to some other internet activities, such as streaming high-definition videos. Wi-Fi calling typically works well with standard broadband speeds. However, the exact speed requirements can vary depending on your mobile provider or device.

As a general guideline, a stable broadband connection with a minimum speed of around 0.5 Mbps for both upload and download should be sufficient for basic voice calls over Wi-Fi. However, for better call quality, especially in situations with potential network congestion or interference, faster speeds are recommended.

For higher quality or high-definition voice calls, your Wi-Fi network should ideally have speeds of at least 1 Mbps or more in both directions (upload and download). This is because Wi-Fi calling uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and a faster, more stable connection can help ensure clearer and more reliable voice communication.

What is Wi-Fi calling?