T-Mobile Launches 'Wi-Fi Unleashed' Campaign, Pledges Support for Wi-Fi Calling on All New Smartphones

[spinedoc77]

wifi calling will enable HD voice quality on calls. Have you done FaceTime audio? If you have you will know what a difference it makes. No more of those static noise in the background. Also wifi calling enables you to make phones call back to the US for free when you are out of the states.

I'm still not understanding it. Will the HD quality on a wifi call sound better than calling over Tmobiles network, or voice over LTE? Even disregarding that, I use google voice for every single phone call I make in or out on my cell phone and it sounds great.

Not trying to be a troll here, but I just am not understanding what the big deal is or where they are forging new ground.

 

[HenryDJP]

Sprint is worst one in the US. Yup, their 3G speed is like EDGE and 4G is slower than ATT 3G. They're dying especially in Bay Area.

Yep exactly and this is the reason I didn't want to choose sprint this time around. My 3G iPhone 4S was nothing short of a slow crawl nearly all the time. I saw on YouTube a guy was comparing all the carriers on LTE phones and Sprint was significantly slower. The only thing they have going for them is the unlimited data.

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T
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.

No, doesn't work that way. I have the sprint hardware at home (the same as T-mobile's wifi calling device), you have to register the phone number on Sprint's website which locks out anyone nearby from using your service.

 

[aajeevlin]

I'm still not understanding it. Will the HD quality on a wifi call sound better than calling over Tmobiles network, or voice over LTE? Even disregarding that, I use google voice for every single phone call I make in or out on my cell phone and it sounds great.

Not trying to be a troll here, but I just am not understanding what the big deal is or where they are forging new ground.

Yes, I do believe HD quality will be better than the tmobile network calls. But as for voice over LTE, I think it's going to be the same, since voice is going to get sent as data (same encoding?).

I can't speak for google voice, but I can tell you that there is a big difference between regular network calls vs FaceTime audio which is done over the internet.

I think they are simply trying to expand their coverages, and eliminate dead zone. So if you like tmobile but you have a dead zone at home, or office this will solve your problem for you. Also the fact that you can now call back to the US (while you are abroad), using your own number and not some app or weird Skype number.

 

[DN7335]

My experience with Wifi calling on TMO

I switched from ATT to TMO about a year ago. I had an AT&T Microcell because my house gets poor reception. Yes it will give you 5 bars but the service is very inconsistent. It will drop off of MCell network for a number of reasons and sometimes you have to reboot the phone to get it to pick up that network again. Getting a SMS message while on a call would boot me from the network every time and the call would either drop or become very static-y.

My experience on TMO with Wifi calling hasn't been a whole lot better to be honest. I got the Note 3 (I'm switching back to iPhone 6 but that's another thread) which supports it natively. It works but there are times when you can hear the other person perfectly but to them your voice is very garbled, I've had that happen numerous times even when literally sitting next to the wifi router. Also, it can be connected to Wifi calling and someone calls you and your phone never rings, all of a sudden you just get a voice mail pop up. Lastly, in the Android world you can use other SMS apps as your default messaging. But if you do, then your phone won't support MMS messaging when you have Wifi calling turned on. I use Textra and they implemented kind of a hack solution that when you use MMS it will temporarily turn off Wifi calling and then turn it back on, but that's only a partial solution because the reason you're using wifi calling in the first place is because you don't have good coverage, especially to send a picture MMS.

So, I'm very much hoping that with the iPhone 6 and the new TMO router that I will be able to use Wifi calling successfully and with full functionality. By the way, as a frequent traveler the free SMS and MMS on flights via Gogo is an outstanding perk! They charge $14 a day to use their service so while you still can't browse for free being able to send and receive messages is going to be great!

 

[boshii]

This's BS. WiFi calling should be supported on any WiFi even with public WiFi. T-Mo router allows you to make WiFi call at home only? What if I'm in a place that have internet but no cell signal? I want to use that WiFi to make calls...I guess, I should propose everyone to buy iPhone so that we can just use FaceTime Audio to call them...

WiFi calling is supported on any WiFi network.

 

[Taz Mangus]

This's BS. WiFi calling should be supported on any WiFi even with public WiFi. T-Mo router allows you to make WiFi call at home only? What if I'm in a place that have internet but no cell signal? I want to use that WiFi to make calls...I guess, I should propose everyone to buy iPhone so that we can just use FaceTime Audio to call them...

I am using T-Mobile WiFi calling on my Windows 8 Nokia phone at home with my own Apple Airport Extreme Base station. T-Mobile WiFi calling works on any WiFi network, T-Mobile hardware is not required. I do not have a T-Mobile router at home.

 

[0970373]

Me too, have zero cell reception at my house. T-Mobile keeps getting more and more tempting, but hard to give up that AT&T unlimited plan.

I've been saying the same thing for years but I'm making the switch when the new iPhones are ready to be ordered. I've been holding on to that unlimited plan for dear life! LOL. But TMO has unlimited on all their plans, it's the amount you consume on LTE that they charge more for. You get bumped down to 3G after. And even that is $80 with unlimited calls & text. Good thing I have a lot of rollover minutes banked because I've gone over on that a fair number of times.

So I took a look at my data usage over the past year. I've broken past 3gb once. Usually in the 1.5-2gb range. Seems less than it used to be but I guess it's because WIFi is everywhere now. With WiFi calling, it solves the signal issue. I only get 1 bar of AT&T LTE in my apartment so that's a big improvement.

Anyway, short story long (ha!), I think it's worth it to analyze your usage.

 

[spinedoc77]

Yes, I do believe HD quality will be better than the tmobile network calls. But as for voice over LTE, I think it's going to be the same, since voice is going to get sent as data (same encoding?).

I can't speak for google voice, but I can tell you that there is a big difference between regular network calls vs FaceTime audio which is done over the internet.

I think they are simply trying to expand their coverages, and eliminate dead zone. So if you like tmobile but you have a dead zone at home, or office this will solve your problem for you. Also the fact that you can now call back to the US (while you are abroad), using your own number and not some app or weird Skype number.

Thank you for the answer. I suspected this was mainly to bolster their lack of coverage. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything as I would consider switching to Tmobile if it wasn't for their bad coverage in my state.

 

[Trotsky40]

This's BS. WiFi calling should be supported on any WiFi even with public WiFi. T-Mo router allows you to make WiFi call at home only? What if I'm in a place that have internet but no cell signal? I want to use that WiFi to make calls...I guess, I should propose everyone to buy iPhone so that we can just use FaceTime Audio to call them...

I can guarantee you it works on public Wifi systems. I am running iOS 8 gold master on my 5S and currently using the T-Mobile Wifi calling using hotel Wifi (check out the carrier in the top left). It works on any Wifi, the T-mobile router/hotspot is just optimized for it. [Edit: For some reason my Dropbox image isn't showing up. Changed to a link instead]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/913r6r7p6lwa3bk/IMG_0764.PNG?dl=0

 

[Medic311]

all this talk of expansion but i haven't seen any expansion in my area at all

all it takes is a 1 hr drive West of Philadelphia and you turn to 2G until you get to the Harrisburg/Lancaster area. that's unacceptable.

until they can close the gaps, i can't take them seriously b/c their service truly sucks. data speeds are superior in/around major cities compared to Verizon's crowded network, yes. but people do leave the city frequently...in fact most live outside of the city now

 

[theman510]

Has Verizon or AT&T put out anything about why they haven't rolled out wi-fi calling yet? My house gets really crappy service so anybody that comes over suffers (my wife and I are connected to the AT&T microcell). Would be awesome for wifi calling to become the norm. I can't seem to find anything on why those two carriers wouldn't roll it out

 

[cmwade77]

Me too, have zero cell reception at my house. T-Mobile keeps getting more and more tempting, but hard to give up that AT&T unlimited plan.

Why? Tmobile's plan is unlimited data, the high sped just caps at a preset amount based on how much you pay. AT&T's "unlimited" plan also caps high speed data after a certain point as well.

But here's the difference, AT&T's speed also reduces to "2G" speeds, T-Mobile speeds reduces one level.

So for an example, if you normally can get 4G LTE, you would be downgraded to 4G, 4G goes to 3G, etc.

The real question now becomes how is their coverage where you typically travel and can't connect to WiFi?

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Haha, somebody did ask that question. Unfortunately they are not opening it up for everybody right now. You'll have to stick with your own wireless network.

It's kind of annoying though, it's fine that you are pushing your own stuff. But it's rather annoying to not clear up the technical details. Also from the video demo, I can tell you that router looked like the Asus Nighthawk.

They shouldn't open it up, can you imagine what would happen to your internet bandwidht if everyone with T-Mobile was connecting to it, even for a brief amount of time to make phone calls.

 

[Breaking Good]

LOL, this is absolutely not true. At least not with the AT&T Microcells. You literally have to register the device on AT&T's website and then enter the phone numbers you want to have access to it. The limit is 10 numbers with a Max of 5 users at any given time. At least it was when I left the company 2 years ago.

I have a friend that has an AT&T Microcell and what you describe is exactly how he described it also.

However, for Verizon, from what I have read it works the way I described. You register your phone number(s) to give them priority, but anyone with Verizon service can use your microcell. Now the distance is limited to about 40 feet. So it isn't like the entire neighborhood can get to it.

From the way the article describes the T-Mo personal cell spot, it sounds like it works the same way. You register your phone number to give i priority, but anyone on T-mo can access it.

 

[Mtmspa]

Do wifi minutes count against your T-Mobile minute plan (if you have one)?

No, the minutes on WIFI don't count. I had free TMO wifi calling with a HTC prior to them getting the iphone and it was great.

 

[BornAgainMac]

After testing T-Mobile with my LTE iPad, I am ready to drop AT&T and switch to T-Mobile. I don't hate AT&T but I like T-Mobile.

 

[h1r0ll3r]

Tad off topic but can anyone comment on T-Mobile reception in the DC Metro area? Thinking of switching from AT&T.

 

[nigerson]

Tad off topic but can anyone comment on T-Mobile reception in the DC Metro area? Thinking of switching from AT&T.

I'm not sure, but tmobile lets you trial an iphone for about a week free of charge to test the service in your area. I used this promotion myself, but unfortunately had terrible reception in upstate NY.

 

[luigi408]

That's cool. I'll look into that trial. Still, I am thinking of moving my family plan from AT&T to T-Mobile. Three out of our four iPhones contracts with AT&T end in November so it's a perfect time to switch. Anyone know how LTE reception compares between the two in Bay Area? Thanks!

 

[0970373]

From the way the article describes the T-Mo personal cell spot, it sounds like it works the same way. You register your phone number to give i priority, but anyone on T-mo can access it.

In the Q&A after the presentation, they said that other TMO phones that aren't registered for it can't get on it. They didn't go into too much detail about the process but they were specific in saying that people can't just jump on it.

 

[snorkelman]

I know this wasn't the sexiest of yesterday's announcements, but I thought it was the most important. The idea of largely leaving "cell minutes" is huge. I'm sure AT&T et al are just thrilled [end sarcasm] with us needing traditional cell minutes even less.

Kudos for T-Mobile for embracing this. Fight the good fight.

not sure they are

while one end of the call is on your wifi connection the other end is getting routed to a handset on a mobile or landline network so I'd be surprised if the networks didn't still take the opportunity to bill for it, even if they are using your wifi to compensate for their lousy reception in your area

if you check the small print in the tmobile page it states

"Wi-Fi Calling: Capable phone and Wi-Fi connection required for Wi-Fi Calling; may decrement plan minutes"

 

[Haswell]

Too bad T-Mobile doesn't cover my area.

 

[Glassed Silver]

Hopefully T-Mobile's mothership is finally taking notes.

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[MacAddict1978]

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.

You need to follow the link in the article. Tmo gives signal boosters and lte boosters for free...
This is a wireless router which is different. The free options just connect to your existing router. This is a decent router actually, and works as a wifi extender. So if you were in the market and need to buy a new router, this might not be a bad option, would need to review the specs more.

 

[HenryDJP]

You need to follow the link in the article. Tmo gives signal boosters and lte boosters for free...
This is a wireless router which is different. The free options just connect to your existing router. This is a decent router actually, and works as a wifi extender. So if you were in the market and need to buy a new router, this might not be a bad option, would need to review the specs more.

I've been so confused with this whole thing today. So is it true that T-mo's wifi calling requires nothing but an iPhone 6 and my existing router? I don't need any wifi hardware from T-mo?

 

[SonicSoundVW]

This is my question. Ok, they drop 3g and cellular audio calls and move everything to VoLTE. In what way are we going to be screwed when were not near wifi? All carriers inclusive. Are they going to keep our same amount of data and prices and have it take a hit on our data plans so we need to increase our data plans to get more data and spend more money? Will they give everybody a 2-5gb bump on their plans for free to compensate? (if there is a way to discern a VoLTE call over regular data usage) will they let VoLTE calls not be charged against our data plans?

For the technical side. What would the battery life comparisons turn into when speaking of talk time? longer/shorter bat life over VoLTE? If voice calling is dropped, what hardware in the phone will disappear? What do you think will fill the space?

Im always thinking about stuff like this. lol