Agreed, I have been on iOS 8 since it was released as a beta. Wifi call works great. Don't see the point of the router for iPhone 5s and beyond...
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T-Mobile Launches 'Wi-Fi Unleashed' Campaign, Pledges Support for Wi-Fi Calling on All New Smartphones
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T-Mobile has had WiFi calling for years (I think since 2007) but it is on a subset of phones. It will be enabled on all iOS 8 phones (once that is out), they are just mentioning the iPhone 6(+) in particular.
Since I have weak T-Mobile coverage at home, I'll be getting one of their routers (and a new phone just because).
Yup. And T-Mobile LTE in my city is the same speed as the maximum my cable provider offers.
I did actually hear that they offered this years back but not for everyone. I was mainly hoping they would give me a bigger reason to leave Sprint. Since I have already been doing wifi calling through the device Sprint provided me I don't have a compelling reason to leave Sprint. I am free too, not tied to anyone and want to get an iPhone 6 Plus. I like T-mo. Had them before. Excellent coverage where I needed it but it's rough paying full price for an iPhone 6 Plus.
One thing that is confusing me is about the need for the router. So he said a new router is required to get this done, then he mentioned that you can do wifi calling around the world. Is that mean I would need a router whoever I need to go? This makes no sense to me.
They'll likely offer it financed, spread out over 24 months (and possibly with a bit of discount for a short time).
There are several apps that allow VoIP calling. I believe Talkatone is one of them.
The catch is that you can't use your cellular phone number. You have to get another number through someone like Google Voice or ring.to in order for it to work.
Republic Wireless (a Sprint MVNO) has had WiFi calling over over a year now and it is the basis of their business model.
Both AT&T and Verizon have devices that will act as "micro cell towers" in your home that you just connect into your Internet connection.
I believe that the difference with what T-mobile announced today (and what Republic Wireless has been doing for over a year) is that you will be able to use the WiFi connection to make and receive calls and texts.
I would assume (but am in no means certain) that this device they announced will be for older phones where the firmware will not allow WiFi calling. When using the device, you are using the cellular radio in your phone, but you are connecting to the device like you would connect to a cell tower.
The benefit (or downside) of these Personal Cellspots is that anyone on the respective carrier's network can connect to the carrier's network through your Internet connection using your Personal Cellspot.
So anyone walking down the street could make a call through your Internet connection.
You can, however, cut out those pesky international roaming fees with WiFi calling.
Mad Mac Maniac
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That's not what he has been saying, he has been stressing the need for the "router". He also said this is not a regular router, it has patent pending firmware in it.
He says you can either use it with your existing network or you can use it as a individual router.
You don't have to have their router to enable wifi calling.
All their router does is boost T-Mobile signal and create a wifi access point like any other router. The wifi part is an added bonus.
Just today I called at&t and gave up my unlimited plan. After 5GB it is throttled to 2G speed:-( Now I have 10GB share plan (for hotspot device is 2nd line) and unlimited minutes now (had 450) for $5 less a month.
I used around 4-8GB a months so the 10Gb plan with no throttling is better.
I keep eying T-Mobile but will see their connection in Colorado. I'm out of contract Oct 18th this year.
Someone else mentioned that specific "router" may be for older phones without the native capacity for WiFi calling. I can assure you, however, that with the right phone it is not necessary and can be done with whatever WiFi network you happen to be on.
I see, thanks. It's just confusing that he is stressing the router part so much. I have watched the entire stream live. And so far he has not mentioned that you can simply use your own wifi.
It's nice to see they are bringing this feature back. I used to work in building with no network, and the UMA feature back then was something that I really enjoyed having.
Right, you will be able to use the new iPhone 6 to call through wifi but you will be using your carrier's minutes which is why you will be able to leave your house on the same call and drive off. That's what Apple said yesterday.
They're still honoring yours? A couple years back they suddenly decided that for me, "Unlimited" meant slowing me to 0.5kbps after 3GB of usage in a billing period.
Because he's trying to push their routers.
If every T-Mobile user gets one of these it will greatly improve their coverage.
Yes, they really stress the whole "all the phone that we will be carrying from this point forward".