AT&T Expands Wi-Fi Calling to Cover International Calls to U.S. When Traveling

[MacRumors]

AT&T first introduced Wi-Fi calling in October of 2015, allowing customers to place calls over Wi-Fi in instances where a cellular connection is poor. At launch, AT&T's Wi-Fi calling feature could only be used within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but as of this week, Wi-Fi calls can also be made from other countries.

Starting this afternoon, and following the iOS 9.3 update, AT&T began sending text messages to customers notifying them of the change. When traveling abroad, a call placed to the United States or received from the United States using Wi-Fi calling will incur no long distance charges, a feature that should be highly useful to AT&T customers who are visiting another country and calling home.

As long as a U.S. number is calling another U.S. number using Wi-Fi calling, there will be no charge, regardless of physical location. Calling an international number from a U.S. phone with Wi-Fi calling will continue to incur standard international call charges.

In a domestic coverage area, Wi-Fi calling is enabled whenever wireless network coverage is weak or unavailable. When outside of a domestic coverage area, Wi-Fi calling is now turned on whenever a phone connects to a Wi-Fi network. AT&T's Wi-Fi calling website has been updated with new text to reflect the updated capabilities.

Use Wi-Fi Calling to talk and text over an active Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi Calling lets you talk and text from indoor locations where it's hard even for a strong cellular signal to reach. Wi-Fi Calling can be used in the Domestic Coverage Area (U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands) and from most international countries.

The new international Wi-Fi calling feature is available on the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, and newly introduced iPhone SE, so long as iOS 9.3 is installed.

AT&T is also notifying customers about a change to NumberSync, which now allows devices linked to an iPhone to make or receive calls over an AT&T cellular connection, something that wasn't previously possible.

The NumberSync feature allows AT&T users to make calls and send text messages using their phone number from a device like an iPad or Mac even when their iPhone is turned off or in another location. Previously, devices had to be connected to Wi-Fi to use the feature, but starting today, a cellular iPad or other device with a cellular connection can use it to make NumberSync calls when a connected iPhone is unavailable.

Article Link: AT&T Expands Wi-Fi Calling to Cover International Calls to U.S. When Traveling

 

[B4U]

AT&T, don't you guys know that you guys are still a rip off when I am traveling overseas?
Besides, have you guys at AT&T heard of an app called Whasapp? I can call using that on Wi-Fi to anyone in the world that has a smart phone with the app...
Now, tell me why in the world do I want to use your Wi-Fi calling to oversea numbers?

 

[aawil]

If only they would add wi-fi calling to gophone.

 

[2298754]

If only they would add wi-fi calling to gophone.

Go post-paid. There is no reason why AT&T should offer premium features like VoLTE or VoWiFi to the lower-end customers.

 

[cheezeit]

So, am I able to keep iMessage on and turn number sync on to forward calls & SMS/iMessage text to my say Samsung S7?

 

[cmichaelb]

This should be nice when I'm in Italy next month.

 

[aawil]

Go post-paid. There is no reason why AT&T should offer premium features like VoLTE or VoWiFi to the lower-end customers.

I was a post paid customer since the first iPhone, I'm saving too much to go back. T-mobile offers it on their pre-paid plans and their coverage looks to have been upgraded in my area so I may jump ship. Getting tired of waiting because my att coverage sucks in house.

 

[Böhme417]

This is also the same for Verizon.
From their website:
The Wi-Fi Calling feature is available at no additional charge, as it is included in your existing monthly voice plan. Your Wi-Fi calls to US numbers, regardless of where you are located, are also free of charge (except for 411 and other premium calls). Wi-Fi calls to international numbers will be billed as "International Calling While in the US" (also known as International Long Distance). If an international rate plan exists on your account, the international calls will be billed at those rates. A Wi-Fi Calling icon will appear on your screen during the call to confirm that it is using Wi-Fi to connect it. If the call is using the Verizon or a roaming network, standard voice charges apply.

 

[Andres Cantu]

T-Mobile's Mobile Without Borders is the best way to use a smartphone outside the United States, without a doubt.

All the other carriers are so behind in that aspect.

 

[2298754]

T-Mobile's Mobile Without Borders is the best way to use a smartphone outside the United States, without a doubt.

All the other carriers are so behind in that aspect.

Not really.

AT&T's Mobile Share plans now have Canada/Mexico roaming as a free add-on.

 

[Carlanga]

Not really.

AT&T's Mobile Share plans now have Canada/Mexico roaming as a free add-on.

But I don't travel to either of those.

 

[BeSweeet]

So AT&T joins T-Mobile and Verizon with this. No idea about Sprint (are they even still in business?).

Not really.

AT&T's Mobile Share plans now have Canada/Mexico roaming as a free add-on.

T-Mobile's Canada & Mexico add-on is also free for those on newer postpaid plans. Those on grandfathered plans can get it at $10 per month.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

AT&T, don't you guys know that you guys are still a rip off when I am traveling overseas?
Besides, have you guys at AT&T heard of an app called Whasapp? I can call using that on Wi-Fi to anyone in the world that has a smart phone with the app...
Now, tell me why in the world do I want to use your Wi-Fi calling to oversea numbers?

Because WhatsApp is Facebook owned and they use all that data to market to you and build a better profile about you.

Plus you can simply do this like placing any other call with AT&T. No need for an app or the extra overhead it brings.
[doublepost=1458699579][/doublepost]

T-Mobile's Mobile Without Borders is the best way to use a smartphone outside the United States, without a doubt.

All the other carriers are so behind in that aspect.

But that means you have to have T-Mobile and that means you're behind all other carriers to begin with when it comes to LTE speeds and coverage area.

 

[2298754]

But I don't travel to either of those.

Then AT&T isn't right for you...

I'd rather have better service in my home country (America) than worry about other places.

 

[drumcat]

Make sure you turn your cellular data of. Roaming at those prices is an accident you don't want. Isn't this essentially Skype/FaceTime?

 

[2298754]

Make sure you turn your cellular data of. Roaming at those prices is an accident you don't want. Isn't this essentially Skype/FaceTime?

It is a form of VOIP, yes. But it's built into iOS (just like TMo, etc).

And the end user doesn't need a special app.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Because WhatsApp is Facebook owned and they use all that data to market to you and build a better profile about you.

Plus you can simply do this like placing any other call with AT&T. No need for an app or the extra overhead it brings.
[doublepost=1458699579][/doublepost]

But that means you have to have T-Mobile and that means you're behind all other carriers to begin with when it comes to LTE speeds and coverage area.

Not behind Sprint. Besides, it works better than all carriers in my area. Pretty satisfied with that
[doublepost=1458700139][/doublepost]

Not really.

AT&T's Mobile Share plans now have Canada/Mexico roaming as a free add-on.

Yes, but they use the #3 network in Mexico whereas T-Mobile uses the top 2.

 

[deannnnn]

AT&T, don't you guys know that you guys are still a rip off when I am traveling overseas?
Besides, have you guys at AT&T heard of an app called Whasapp? I can call using that on Wi-Fi to anyone in the world that has a smart phone with the app...
Now, tell me why in the world do I want to use your Wi-Fi calling to oversea numbers?

Because 99% of all people don't have Whatsapp.

This is a free service that seems to be mostly targeted toward US travelers to be able to call home for free while abroad. Considering how few things AT&T gives us for free, I think you should just take this as a huge win and keep using Whatsapp if you want to.

 

[alphaod]

It also works on airplane WiFi for a while now...

 

[GoodWheaties]

This sounds good

 

[doelcm82]

AT&T, don't you guys know that you guys are still a rip off when I am traveling overseas?
Besides, have you guys at AT&T heard of an app called Whasapp? I can call using that on Wi-Fi to anyone in the world that has a smart phone with the app...
Now, tell me why in the world do I want to use your Wi-Fi calling to oversea numbers?

So if you've decided to extend your trip a couple of days and you need to call your dentist and reschedule an appointment, you just call your dentist's receptionists smart phone with the WhatsApp app on the phone.

You find out your best friend has been in an accident and is in the hospital. But they don't allow cell phones in his room. You just call the main hospital switchboard's WhatsApp, and they connect you to your friend's room.

Making wifi calls for cheap or even free has been possible for a long time. Six years ago I used Skype to call home from the UK on my iPhone (I kept the phone in airplane mode to ensure I didn't accidentally make a call over cellular roaming). But AT&T (and the other carriers that now offer this service) has made it easier. You don't need a special app, and you can call any us phone number whether or not they have the matching app.

 

[gotluck]

Go post-paid. There is no reason why AT&T should offer premium features like VoLTE or VoWiFi to the lower-end customers.

The cost difference isn't enough to justify those two features.

Plus I love never having to worry about overages or billing issues. That alone will probably keep me on prepaid

 

[cameronjpu]

Edited out

 

[aneftp]

It also works on airplane WiFi for a while now...

Just found this out ask. 100% fool proof way to avoid nasty international accidental cellular roaming charges while taking.

Keep it in airplane mode on wifi for calling.

 

[2298754]

Sounds to me, unless I'm misreading it, that the key difference with those other services is that you still pay through the nose to do it. It's not *free* international wifi calling, it's just the ability to pay ATT to make an international call even when on wifi when any sane person would use Skype. Or am I misunderstanding?

It's literally just a regular phone call through the dialer, but instead of going over the cell network, it's over WiFi. It's free anywhere in the world now (back to the US)