Mobile phone Wifi calling

Both Vodafone and Three allow wifi calling from some phones. The ability to make wifi calls via these operators appears to depend on the phone being used. So if a particular unlocked phone can make wifi calls via Vodafone, would it definitely also be able to make such calls via Three when using a Three Sim? Both Vodafone and Three publish lists of phones which they say will work but whilst the lists are similar, they are not the same.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

Both Vodafone and Three allow wifi calling from some phones. The ability to make wifi calls via these operators appears to depend on the phone being used. So if a particular unlocked phone can make wifi calls via Vodafone, would it definitely also be able to make such calls via Three when using a Three Sim? Both Vodafone and Three publish lists of phones which they say will work but whilst the lists are similar, they are not the same.

If iPhone then yes, just change the SIM and you're good to go.

If Android then the answer is "it depends" on the software. In most cases EE works, but Three, Vodafone and O2 you have to test to see. Some phones (e.g. Samsung) you can change the firmware yourself to the customised mobile operator version.

The discount MVNO operators (e.g. Tesco, GiffGaff, Voxi) don't offer WiIFi calling. The odd ones out are BT, Sky, and I think Smarty.

O2 is a little tedious in that they allow wi-fi calling but only on pay monthly.

In reply to a post by Oliver341:

O2 is a little tedious in that they allow wi-fi calling but only on pay monthly.

I think it is only Three that enable WiFi calling on PAYG at the moment. Rumours are this is coming to EE PAYG this year.

As well as WiFi calling the other feature is 4G Calling (VoLTE) which enables calls over the 4G/LTE network instead of switching back to 3G. This works in a similar way to WiFi calling using the IP-Multimedia-System (IMS) stack at the network. Voice is just another data type over the LTE network.

However Android devices seem to need network customised software to support VoLTE.

Without VoLTE coverage on Three can seem awful. They have branded this "Super Voice" in their odd way.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

I think it is only Three that enable WiFi calling on PAYG at the moment. Rumours are this is coming to EE PAYG this year.

Handy to know. It's a shame this feature is limited for PAYG, I suppose it's part of the general thrust to get people on contracts.

In reply to a post by Oliver341:

Handy to know. It's a shame this feature is limited for PAYG, I suppose it's part of the general thrust to get people on contracts.

I disagree. To start with it was an unreliable service (back in 2016) but as people replace handsets and software updates, things have become stable.

Networks will want people on VoLTE so that 4G (and then 5G) data networks can handle the voice load, enabling the 3G signals to be turned off, and spectrum re-used for 4G / 5G, which is vastly more efficient.

Perhaps it is because PAYG users are on older handsets, which are replaced a lot slower, so would have a poor experience on VoLTE?

4G / 5G / VoLTE is all well and good, but when you have poor or no mobile signal it's a nice option to have to be able to connect to wi-fi and make a call/text over that.

Yes, and in new build homes and flats with the metal foil backed insulation in the exterior walls, you can have strong signal outside, and nothing indoors. WiFi calling is the only option.

Vodafone will still sell you a SureSignal box (femto cell), but the other networks might loan you a femto cell for a short time until coverage improves, if you are a "valuable" customer (ie, high spender). WiFi calling should get rid of all of this nonsense.

Much of the problem is Google didn't build standard WiFi calling or 4G calling into base Android, so each manufacturer handles each network settings differently. Apple built it in, so the individual network "carrier bundle" that is downloaded configures the settings.

The ancient iPhone 5s manages WiFi calling on EE and Three !!

Edited by jchamier (Fri 28-Feb-20 18:20:55)

In my experience (on EE at least) on recent handset firmware the UK generic (BTU) firmware as well as UK carrier firmware seems to work fine for VoLTE and VoWiFi.

WiFi calling is the reason I switched to EE about 6 years ago ......

My previous provider, Vodafone, gave such a bad signal indoors at the flat I moved to, that often even texts wouldn�t send . I rang and enquired about a Sure Signal, but they wanted too much money for it.

EE and WiFi calling on an iPhone has worked like a charm ever since.

I have BT Mobile for my work phone, it used to be that WiFi calls were only via an app (a pants way of doing things) but now it is a feature the same as with EE.

Yes for some odd reason both Vodafone and O2 do voice only over WiFi. Must be something to do with the age of either their core or billing systems!

Yes EE has their settings in Samsung generic firmware.

In reply to a post by Oliver341:

O2 is a little tedious in that they allow wi-fi calling but only on pay monthly.

Also texting doesn't work on O2 when connected to WiFi calling for some reason. Other networks it works fine.

As above both Vodafone and O2 implemented only calling over WiFi no texting.

This is a bit short sighted now the government has directed banks and finance companies to do two factor logon codes for internet shopping and banking.

Wifi calling were made to improve their customer support. Before Idea or Vodafone Wifi calling services began their testing and their rollout to the masses. The merger happened. Even in 2020, where others have already offered their Wifi calling service to users and trying to add newer devices and telecom circles to their coverage list. Vodafone Wifi calling has not made any groundbreaking revelations. Vodafone users are eagerly waiting for Vodafone to begin testing and rolling out the Vodafone Wifi calling in India so that they can stay on par with the competition by others.

That may be true for India but the rest of comments are for the U.K. network.

Just waiting on the spam to appear

I can use wifi calling on plusnet on my iphone my wife is on o2 and she can't on her iphone,option doesn't even show on hers,so we know the iphone can this means it's combination of phone type and nework that both matter,she is stubburn and won't switch networks because "when we visit my mum mine is only phone tha gets a signal"!:-its onl place her phone her phone works and mine doesn't,loads of places the opposite applies,don't get her logic/reasoning

O2 supports wi-fi calling but not on pay as you go. She could move to a contract and stay on O2.

both use sim only,don't want tying to a contract for at least 12 months,O2 is slow data wise as well and expensive compared to others for what you get