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WiFi Calling Restricted by WiFi Provider?

B

BruiserB

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Aug 9, 2008
1,764
774
Is it possible for the provider of a WiFi signal to restrict a phone from connecting for WiFi calling? I've connected to WiFi calling successfully at home and a few other places. At work I have spotty T-mobile coverage in the building, but we have guest WiFi that anyone can connect to. I'm connected fine to the WiFi, but I'm not getting the "T-mobile WiFi" indicator and when I go to an area where there is no cell signal I lose all phone/SMS capability.

Could my workplace be blocking access? I was really hoping WiFi calling could be the answer to my spotty coverage at work. I have been able to use VOIP apps just fine (i.e. Google Hangouts, Vonage, etc) so it doesn't seem like they're blocking VOIP specifically...just WiFi calling for some reason.
 
BruiserB said:
Is it possible for the provider of a WiFi signal to restrict a phone from connecting for WiFi calling? I've connected to WiFi calling successfully at home and a few other places. At work I have spotty T-mobile coverage in the building, but we have guest WiFi that anyone can connect to. I'm connected fine to the WiFi, but I'm not getting the "T-mobile WiFi" indicator and when I go to an area where there is no cell signal I lose all phone/SMS capability.

Could my workplace be blocking access? I was really hoping WiFi calling could be the answer to my spotty coverage at work. I have been able to use VOIP apps just fine (i.e. Google Hangouts, Vonage, etc) so it doesn't seem like they're blocking VOIP specifically...just WiFi calling for some reason.
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Works fine at my work, might be just your network.
 
its very possible its just a locked down wi-fi access point.

A lot of times these public wi-fi's will just give you basic web (TCP port 80) access.

This way you can search the internet, but can't use it to do other things they may not want you to. (i.e hack, spam, ect.)
 
Yes, I did have wifi calling on. As mentioned, it works great for me at home.

I did just reboot my phone though and voilà, it connected to wifi calling! Strange because my other experience is that it would connect as soon as I was on a wifi connection. Maybe there's still a few bugs.

I'm guessing it must be possible to block though, as I'm sure in flight wifi on the airlines isn't going to allow wifi calling....at least I hope not!
 
im not familiar with how Wifi Calling works (well, what port it runs over and its method of operation that is) but as others have said its highly likely that your wifi network you're connected to has the port blocked (assuming it uses a port as most services do) in addition to the other services people have mentioned: Peer to Peer, Gaming, etc. etc.
 
LaynieGorilla said:
Does anyone on at&t have this option? I don't see it
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T-mobile is the only carrier offering it now. I'm sure other carriers will eventually support it. BTW I purchased an "ATT" unlocked phone and putting my T-Mobile SIM in activated the feature. So it depends on your carrier not your phone.
 
webbuzz said:
No, T-Mobile only for now. AT&T and Verizon will roll it out sometime in 2015. I know Sprint offers it as well, just cannot find any mention of it for iPhone.
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I have no idea how it works either. When it does become available, what will that mean for our end? Is it just something that is switched on from their end, and we don't have to do anything with our wifi, or would we have to get a specific router? Does it require we sign up for some sort of wifi calling service?
 
I've done facetime audio calls over wifi several times while traveling abroad (I have ATT). I know that carriers like ATT have stated that they will start support of wifi calling in 2015, but can't you do it now with FaceTime audio? Or maybe I should just shut up and not spoil it for myself...
 
Gmcube said:
I have no idea how it works either. When it does become available, what will that mean for our end? Is it just something that is switched on from their end, and we don't have to do anything with our wifi, or would we have to get a specific router? Does it require we sign up for some sort of wifi calling service?
Click to expand...


With T-mobile you just go to Settings-->Phone-->WiFi Calls (only shows up once carrier enables it) and turn on Allow WiFi Calls. Then whenever you are on a WiFi connection the carrier changes to T-Mobile WiFi. It's essentially like having a Microcell in your phone. You still use plan minutes for calls, but you'll have a solid connection even in low cell signal areas.

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joelb727 said:
I've done facetime audio calls over wifi several times while traveling abroad (I have ATT). I know that carriers like ATT have stated that they will start support of wifi calling in 2015, but can't you do it now with FaceTime audio? Or maybe I should just shut up and not spoil it for myself...
Click to expand...


FaceTime Audio is fine for calling other iOS users. WiFi calling enables you to call any number. You could also use other VoIP apps to do this, but this is seamless with the regular phone dialer. You can also receive calls to your regular number and send/receive SMS with non iOS users. The feature should also work internationally, you just need to be on WiFi.
 
joelb727 said:
I've done facetime audio calls over wifi several times while traveling abroad (I have ATT). I know that carriers like ATT have stated that they will start support of wifi calling in 2015, but can't you do it now with FaceTime audio? Or maybe I should just shut up and not spoil it for myself...
Click to expand...

It's more about using the more reliable connection and preserving battery life by using wifi calling vs talking over wifi.
 
*KID* said:
No wifi calling on my Sprint 6+, just checked.
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At the keynote it was stated that only T-Mobile in the US and EE in the UK (I think) have the feature now. It will roll out to other carriers over time but requires the carrier to implement it...so contact your carrier to find out if/when they plan to support it.
 
joelb727 said:
I've done facetime audio calls over wifi several times while traveling abroad (I have ATT). I know that carriers like ATT have stated that they will start support of wifi calling in 2015, but can't you do it now with FaceTime audio? Or maybe I should just shut up and not spoil it for myself...
Click to expand...

surely you know that facetime audio and wifi calling are completely different?
 
WiFi Voice uses IPSec VPN over UDP. Unfortunately, this is a protocol that requires specific support for a NAT or Firewall, and doesn't work "everywhere".

Most NAT's do support IPSec, but not all.

Ask whomever runs your WiFi Network to make sure IPSec VPN is supported.
 
Got the same error. It worked after I power cycled the phone.

P.S. T-mobile is the only carrier at the moment that supports this feature.
 
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