WiFi Calling: What and Why

It has been a little over a month since Indian telecom companies like Airtel and Jio launched their own WiFi Calling service. Let’s take a look at what this service entails and why is it a good option.

What

Voice Over WiFi service, which is now provided all across the country, enables users to make calls through any broadband connection no matter where. This service can be availed through regular cellular connection and does not need the receiver to be connected to WiFi.
It is a free service that requires no additional charges or apps and can be enabled easily through the settings on your device. Just go to your phone’s Wireless and Network Setting, selecting ‘More’ (Network options) and then clicking on the option for ‘WiFi Calling’. It can be achieved by going to the ‘Advanced’ options of the WiFi Preferences in your device too.

So making and receiving high quality calls on a WiFi connection anywhere, anytime without extra applications or procedures, is basically what WiFi Calling is all about. Easy and convenient, isn’t it? Now on to the ‘why’ or the pros of WiFi Calling –

Why

Though Cellular networks have indeed made our lives easier, they too have some limitations. The biggest one of these is that you can’t make calls to a remote area if it doesn’t have a cellphone tower. You might think if there is even such a place? Well, you’ll be surprised!

There are still numerous remote locations where ‘Network’ doesn’t reach… but not with WiFi calling! Since it doesn’t need you to be range of a ‘tower’ to work- you can easily connect to remote areas as long as you have internet connection and the service enables.
It also takes less battery to sustain a WiFi call than a cellular call. Moreover, you can turn it off anytime you want so you can always choose the method that’s most convenient to you under different situations.
That is not to say that WiFi calling doesn’t have any drawbacks- there is nothing with only good points. But that’s a topic for another day!