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iOS 8.3 Enables WiFi Calling for Sprint, EE Subscribers
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Especially when you're in those full-metal-construction Apple stores and you have no bars...
Seems it depends on where you are calling from. Per the Sprint press release located here- http://newsroom.sprint.com/news-rel...i-calling-to-millions-of-iphone-customers.htm :
"Customers traveling internationally with Wi-Fi access can use Wi-Fi Calling to enjoy free calls from over 200 countries back to the U.S.2 Wi-Fi Calling is available at no additional charge when calling to a U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico phone number. For more information, please visit: https://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/194593"
Unfortunately I can't find in that thread what countries you can call back to the States for free.
"Customers traveling internationally with Wi-Fi access can use Wi-Fi Calling to enjoy free calls from over 200 countries back to the U.S.2 Wi-Fi Calling is available at no additional charge when calling to a U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico phone number. For more information, please visit: https://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/194593"
Unfortunately I can't find in that thread what countries you can call back to the States for free.
As a Verizon customer, I have very little need for Wi-Fi calling domestically. However, it would be a game changer when traveling internationally and needing to make a voice call in situations where FaceTime Audio isn't a viable option. It would be nice to be able to make and receive calls from my Verizon cell number no matter where I am in the world as long as the phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
Rogers updated its carrier settings to 19.0 with 8.3. This adds voLTE for iPhone 6 and 6+. Haven't tried it yet but the options under cellular settings are there finally.
Two questions maybe someone could help me with as I decide if I want to turn this feature on:
1) Does this make the voice quality similar to the Facetime audio calls? I'm sure it's just because I'm not used to it but I'm not a fan.
2) I get 2-3 LTE bars in my home and really don't have any issues with calls. Will this always use WIFI when in rage or choose whatever has the best call quality at the time (the cell network or WIFI).
Thanks...
1) Does this make the voice quality similar to the Facetime audio calls? I'm sure it's just because I'm not used to it but I'm not a fan.
2) I get 2-3 LTE bars in my home and really don't have any issues with calls. Will this always use WIFI when in rage or choose whatever has the best call quality at the time (the cell network or WIFI).
Thanks...
Wow.. Just noticed when using wifi a call to another iPhone on wifi calling enabled.. The call is almost instant! I'll use this for some time and see how it goes. I have pretty decent voice coverage here and band 41 LTE just about everywhere with a few exceptions where it drops to 3G. Sprint stepped it up in my area, but I know they have a long way to go in others. Hopefully his helps.
1) Interesting question. The call could be Wifi to cell phone, Wifi to land line, or Wifi to Wifi connected iPhone. The last option is the most likely to use high fidelity audio, but only a Sprint user can verify this.
2) It will use Wifi if you are connected to Wifi - if you lose your wifi connection the call drops. Source - http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1860957-WiFi-Calling-on-iPhone-now-Active-for-Sprint
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I don't think they can. It has something to do with the fact that while on wifi Cali g you're technically not routing calls through your cellular carrier normally. It's for that reason that I've not really used continuity very much since it came out. It's too bad we have to choose between it and wifi calling.
I was just turning it on but then got the "other devices will no longer be able to make or receive calls" message.
Does that mean it disables my ability to make phone calls on my watch?
Seems very odd. Why would it do that?
Does that mean it disables my ability to make phone calls on my watch?
Seems very odd. Why would it do that?
EE have been going round in circles with this. One minute we were going to have it before Christmas, then early new year, then a month later. Recently they announced it was going to coincide with the launch of Samsungs new handsets and be exclusive to them for the time being.
Now they've done a full loop and dropped it on iPhone users first. I'm not sure Apple were particularly happy that the deal EE presumably signed into was going to be dropped in favour of rivals.
I have it switched on but I'm obviously not one of the first 100,000 to be activated, though I have to say I'm pleased it is finally here and will be grateful to soon be able to make calls from my faraday cage of a home.
Now they've done a full loop and dropped it on iPhone users first. I'm not sure Apple were particularly happy that the deal EE presumably signed into was going to be dropped in favour of rivals.
I have it switched on but I'm obviously not one of the first 100,000 to be activated, though I have to say I'm pleased it is finally here and will be grateful to soon be able to make calls from my faraday cage of a home.
I got the SMS from EE this morning, enabled Wifi calling and gave it a try. Worked well both at home and on a Virgin Media hotspot on the tube.
I'm puzzled by EE's statement that it won't work abroad though. Perhaps it's just to stop people trying to avoid roaming fees.
Matt
I'm puzzled by EE's statement that it won't work abroad though. Perhaps it's just to stop people trying to avoid roaming fees.
Matt
Yay. It's now on and is working. Crystal clear call quality to another iPhone. (Which is normally the case for me).
I just got the 19.1 update notification....but I'm on AT&T... I think they may have also enabled this feature... We'll see when iOS 8.3 finishes installing.
ATT: "sometime in 2015".
Similar to tethering, AT&T is just looking for a way to screw their customers even more and make money off this. (I'd be shocked if they offered it as a free feature.)
Toggling the LTE for voice for AT&T has been enabled for quite some time, but AT&T hasn't rolled out VoLTE. You can turn it on for Voice and Data, but if Rogers hasn't rolled it out...it's pointless. VoLTE is just moving the voice traffic over to use the LTE network instead of the 3G and "4G" network...it will give you an "HD" quality call when on VoLTE, but that's about it.
A few years ago Orange supported UMA on Orange branded Blackberrys. The official line was that it only worked in the UK. In reality it worked when overseas and the user could make and receive calls without roaming fees. At the time this was a big plus as everyone charged roaming fees.
Just sort of hoping that it will be the same and that it will work.
Alex
EE here... didn't get a text and don't see anything in the settings... but it's a company phone, managed centrally so probably our IT department has to deploy the functionality manually.