Most people spend time in some places where mobile phones are unable to work properly because of blocked signals. Sometimes, it’s a place at home, an office building, or the mall where regular signals fail to get picked up. But people don’t need to rely solely on the cellular phone network, and instead can utilize a Wi-Fi network to make calls. Wi-Fi calling, as it is known as, permits calls using the Internet instead or along with the cell towers. While people use Wi-Fi calling a lot at home due to signal issues, most people don’t know that you can make and receive calls while travelling abroad if you have this feature enabled.
Wi-Fi calling overseas is a great feature for travellers because no there is usually no roaming or international charge for making calls and sending texts. Major cell phone carriers now allow Wi-Fi calling and can be used very effectively on iPhones and Androids. For example, AT&T and Verizon have begun to allow their iPhone users make international calls through Wi-Fi for no extra charge. This service is available for iPhone & Android users who’s smartphone is running the latest OS.
When it is set up through their settings and Wi-Fi calling options, Wi-Fi calling will automatically be available in places where there is limited or no signal with a Wi-Fi connection. (However, do check on the carrier’s policy and handling with Wi-Fi calling, as it does vary.)
How to Setup Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone?
If Wi-Fi Calling is available, you’ll see Wi-Fi after your carrier name in the status bar. Then your calls will use Wi-Fi Calling.
Setting up Wi-Fi Calling on your Android may vary on different devices.
If Wi-Fi Calling is available, you’ll see Wi-Fi after your carrier name in the status bar. Then your calls will use Wi-Fi Calling.
Also, before you travel overseas, make sure to put your phone into airplane mode the duration of your stay, this way you ensure that you don’t incur any charges and are only making calls via Wi-Fi Calling.
Then again, there are apps that can be used to make Wi-Fi calls free from anywhere anyway. Skype, WhatsApp, and Vonage can be used for voice or video calls using Wi-Fi. But, there is a difference. The difference between Wi-Fi calling and Wi-Fi data is that Wi-Fi calling help connect calls in places cellular networks can’t reach the Wi-Fi data is supposed to. Calls made over the Wi-Fi network are handled through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) instead of an Internet connection the Wi-Fi access point is connected to rather than the cellular network. Unlike those apps mentioned above, which lets people talk to others with a Wi-Fi interface, Wi-Fi calling lets people use their actual carrier phone number over the Internet. In other words, people will know who is calling them.
Wi-Fi calling is allowed because it’s a brilliant way for major carriers to get relief of any massive network traffic and let customers increase their coverage without extra payment. Wi-Fi calling allows people to use Wi-Fi hotspots to make any voice call in places where signals are difficult to get because they are being obstructed. This works to allow people to make and receive calls as usual on any cellular network. In a more advanced time with mobile phones and globalization, we should have such easy access to reach other people without the need to pay for it, including making phone calls, from anywhere in the world.
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