AppleInsider Staff
Eclipsed by an avalanche of features introduced with Wednesday's iOS 8.3 launch, Wi-Fi calling on iPhone is now available in on Sprint's network in the U.S. and through EE in the UK.
Sprint announced Wi-Fi calling capabilities would roll out to iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s owners as part of today's iOS 8.3 update.
"Wi-Fi Calling is like a major expansion of our network, allowing Sprint customers to get coverage anywhere they have Wi-Fi connectivity," said David Owens, senior vice president of product development for Sprint. "Traditional wireless technology has some limitations in places like basements and high-rise office buildings. Wi-Fi expands our customer's connectivity in a big way. The addition of Wi-Fi Calling for iPhone customers is just one more example of how Sprint is getting better every day."
Aside from extended coverage, the feature lets subscribers place free phone calls back to the U.S. and Puerto Rico from more than 200 countries. Further, a carrier software update rolling out this week will let Sprint customers dial out using their cellular phone number.
In the UK, cellular provider EE confirmed iOS 8.3 activates Wi-Fi calling for subscribers using iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5s and 5c handsets. The carrier originally intended to roll out the feature to compatible Samsung smartphones on Friday.
For EE, users must first have their device provisioned for Wi-Fi calling by switching on "Wi-Fi Calls" in iPhone's Settings menu. Provisioning should take about one day.
Introduced with iOS 8, Wi-Fi calling hands off incoming and outgoing calls to a local wireless network. The wireless protocol provides ample bandwidth for reliable, stable connections with enhanced audio quality and better battery performance compared to standard cellular radio communications.
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
20 Comments
EE UK, thanks heavens. My coverage within the building at work is terrible, and calls always drop. The wi-fi is good though.
The article is about Sprint having the capabilities of wifi-calling, but then the example it provides in the article is for T-Mobile. I'm confused because I am a sprint client, I did the update, and when I go into settings there are not settings for wifi-calling. So is this capability for Sprint or is it for T-Mobile?
Enabling this on EE prevents you from using the iPhone for placing calls from a Mac or iPad. That is one of the great features of iOS 8 and Yosemite as it allows me to do everything from my Mac when I'm in the office. Luckily EE have great coverage wherever I go so I'll keep this off. There's also an ominous notification about information regarding each wi-fi network I join being sent to EE for billing details. It's fairly vague on what is transmitted.
I really don't see the point unless it only used data which could save money on calls. But it doesn't, it still charges it as talk time. It makes sense in big countries with flaky 3G ang 4G but The UK is fairly small and has pretty good coverage already.
The article is about Sprint having the capabilities of wifi-calling, but then the example it provides in the article is for T-Mobile. I'm confused because I am a sprint client, I did the update, and when I go into settings there are not settings for wifi-calling. So is this capability for Sprint or is it for T-Mobile?
Wifi calling is great. been using it for T-mobile since I first got my iPhone 6. Both at home and work. When it's working it's show Wi-Fi on the top bar, besides that normal Wifi icon for Data. The setting is in Settings, then Phone then Wi-Fi Calls. Then turn on Allow Wi-Fi Calls. Some people may think it would be in the Cellular or Carrier settings menu's, it's NOT, scroll on down to where it says Phone. it's just before Messages and Facetime settings. I don't know about Sprint if it's working now or not?!?! I know AT&T was supposedly going to have this ability after the first of the year and well it's 4 months past and I haven't heard anything.
I ge a very weak signal at work. It's like that with everyone. Yet I have a Wifi router about 2 feet from me in my office. No running out the door to outside trying to get a call. Now I have nice clear calls.