What is Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calls (Wi-Fi Calling) can be defined as a technology in the field of telecommunications that allows us to call another user who has a good Wi-Fi connection. This allows us to make calls even with poor or no network coverage. In this case, what it does is allow us to make normal phone calls over the Internet using our broadband connection.
Thus, it will no longer be necessary to make calls through a mobile network, the only thing we will need is to have a good WiFi network and an Internet connection. You may be interested in knowing some tips to solve the speed problems of your WiFi network. Among the advantages they provide us we have:
- The call reflects our own number.
- It will have the same price as a national call that can be zero euros if you have a rate with unlimited calls.
- International and special rate calls are charged at the same price.
- If necessary we can make emergency calls.
We can use this Wi-Fi calling technology on both Apple and Android smartphones.
How do these calls work?
This Wi-Fi calling feature uses Voice over Internet Protocol VoIP instead of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) which is used in mobile networks. As for some examples of applications that also use the VoIP network are WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger. However, one of the main differences, as we have already mentioned, is that our phone will be reflected on the screen of the person we are calling.
In addition, another very important issue is that our recipient of the call does not necessarily have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network. In that aspect you could receive that call connected to the mobile network. Thanks to Wi-Fi calls, it will not be necessary to be near a mobile phone tower to get good reception. Sometimes, even in big cities we can have coverage problems with the mobile network. An example of this is basements, and depending on the location of our house, and architectural barriers such as walls, we may have more or less coverage.
On the other hand, it is also good for the duration of the autonomy of our smartphone. In that aspect, a phone that continuously searches for a mobile network to connect can drain our battery faster.
Activating Wi-Fi Calling
If we want to activate WiFi calls we have to meet two requirements:
- The smartphone is compatible with this technology.
- Our operator supports Wi-Fi calls.
Currently in Spain, not all mobile operators support it but little by little more and more do. Some examples of those that already have this service are: Movistar, O2, Orange and Amena. As for the smartphones that support it, they must be Android or iOS and also relatively modern. Here is a list of the devices that Movistar has said are compatible with Wi-Fi calls so you can get an idea.
On an Apple device we would do them from Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi calling. This would be an example:
On the other hand, those who have an Android smartphone will see a screen similar to this:
In Android, because each manufacturer uses different names in its Settings menu, it can vary, although they all have many similarities:
- Samsung: We go to Settings> Connections> Wi-Fi calls> SIM1 or SIM2> activate Wi-Fi calls.
- Xiaomi: Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks > Operator 1 or Operator 2 in SIM CARD SETTINGS > we enable Make calls using the Wi-Fi option.
- Oppo: We go to Settings> SIM card and mobile data> SIM1 or SIM2> Wi-Fi calls> activate Wi-Fi calls.
- one plus: Settings> Wi-Fi and Internet> SIM and network> SIM 1 or SIM 2> we enable the Wi-Fi calls option
- Realme: it would be in Settings> Wi-Fi and Internet> SIM and network> SIM 1 or SIM 2> we activate the Wi-Fi calls option.
As you can see, Wi-Fi calls can be very attractive if we have little or no mobile network coverage so we can make phone calls. This is ideal for environments where in our home we have little coverage with our current operator, but in other locations it works perfectly and the price is very good. Thanks to this possibility, we will not have problems when making or receiving calls, because we will always be connected to the WiFi network at home.
