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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...

I'm not clear on why I would need additional hardware to enable WiFi calling. My 5s does very well on WiFi calling on iOS 8 with nothing besides my normal router. Is this simply for QoS purposes? If so, most any router can do that.
 
I was excited about this until John Legere mentioned that it requires hardware. This may be new for T-mo but it's not a new feature. I already have this with Sprint and have had it for over 2 years. In fact Sprint didn't charge me for it nor am I paying any deposit or monthly fee for it.

Plugs right into my router and I do wifi calling on my iPhone 4S. Can walk right from my house to my car and drive off all on the same call. Well, no T-mo for me. Not compelling enough to leave sprint only to pay full price for a phone.

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).
 
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).

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.
 
It can work alongside your existing router.

Think of it as a cell booster with an added wi-fi component.

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.
 
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.

You don't need anything extra for WiFi calling. Just connect to a WiFi network.
 
Oh, you're not watching the T-mo keynote on CNET right now? That's what they are showing. How does your 5S call directly through Wi-fi? The only way that I know of any phone doing that without hardware is through Skype or another voip service.

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.
 
I still use AT&T but if T-Mobile continues to build out its network and stays aggressive with pricing, I'll definitely consider a switch.






:apple:
 
You don't need anything extra for WiFi calling. Just connect to a WiFi network.

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.
 
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.

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.
 
I too have the original unlimited plan from AT&T. A couple of months ago I got the dreaded letter from AT&T that they figured out I was tethering (without the proper plan) and that if I keep it up they'll push me into a regular plan. The tethering of unlimited minutes was really the last reason I've held on to that plan and not jumped to another carrier. Now I'm giving thought to letting it go. I don't know of any other features of being unlimited/jailbreaking that get me excited. If I can't tether unlimited, think I might just let it go. Perhaps try T-Mobile.

Not complaining. I had a good run. Just don't see the value in the original plan any more.

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.
 
T-Mobile will also be allowing one time upgrades for customers to get a Wi-Fi enabled phone, even those who are not signed up for the JUMP program.


Does this mean I can trade in my current iPhone 5s and upgrade to the 6 with tmobile picking up the tab thats left from the one that I currently have at the moment?

If so can I just give my old blackberry thats sucking up dust instead?
 
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.

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.
 
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.

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.
 
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.

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.
 
Watching the Cnet live T-mobile 7.0 thing and just saw this:

Roger Cheng 3:28 PM
If you bring your unlocked smartphone, the Wi-Fi calling won't be native, Sievert says. You need to buy a T-Mobile smartphone.


FYI
 
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.

Because he's trying to push their routers.

If every T-Mobile user gets one of these it will greatly improve their coverage.
 
Watching the Cnet live T-mobile 7.0 thing and just saw this:

Roger Cheng 3:28 PM
If you bring your unlocked smartphone, the Wi-Fi calling won't be native, Sievert says. You need to buy a T-Mobile smartphone.


FYI

Yes, they really stress the whole "all the phone that we will be carrying from this point forward".
 
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