For customers in rural and regional areas, who have dramas with mobile coverage, Wi-Fi calling is a game changer. It’s a basic idea that lets you make phone calls using your home internet instead of your mobile network.
To enable Wi-Fi calling on your device, there are a few steps that need to be taken into consideration:
- Your device needs to be compatible with Wi-Fi calling. Most modern smartphones and tablets support this feature, but it’s always best to check to ensure compatibility.
- A good router can ensure a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection, which is crucial for high-quality voice calls. If the router is old or faulty, it can cause dropped calls, poor call quality, or even prevent Wi-Fi calling from working altogether.
See what’s available at your property
Is Wi-Fi Calling free in Australia?
Wi-Fi Calling service is free to use in Australia as long as you have a compatible device and an active mobile plan that supports the feature. However, data usage from Wi-Fi Calling may be counted from your data allowance, except for unlimited data plans.
What devices support Wi-Fi calling?
Wi-Fi calling is supported on most new smartphones including iPhones running iOS 8 or later and Android devices running version 5.0 or later.
How to Enable Wi-Fi Calling?
Enabling Wi-Fi calling on an iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Phone” and then select “Wi-Fi Calling.”
- Toggle the switch next to “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” to turn it on.
- Follow the prompts to enter your emergency address and confirm your wireless connection.
Enabling Wi-Fi calling on an Android device (the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your device and brand):
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- Search and select “Wi-Fi Calling.”
- Toggle the switch next to “Wi-Fi Calling” to turn it on.
- Follow the prompts to confirm your wireless connection.
How much data does Wi-Fi calling use?
Wi-Fi calling uses data from the connected Wi-Fi network, but not from your mobile data allowance.
It depends on your plan, customers in an unlimited plan don’t need to worry about data usage. But according to WhistleOut, Wi-Fi calling uses approximately 100-120 kbps, which means that you’ll use around 45MB of data per hour.
Pros and Cons of Wi-Fi Calling
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost Savings | Latency Issues |
| Improved Coverage | Internet Dependent |
| Better Call Quality | Router Dependent |
Pros:
- Cost Savings: save customers money on their phone bills, especially when traveling or making international calls.
- Improved Coverage: help customers stay connected in areas that has limited coverage in remote areas, making it difficult to get a strong phone signal.
- Better Call Quality: provide clearer, more reliable calls than traditional phone calls, because it uses a more stable and higher-quality internet connection to transmit voice data.
Cons:
- Latency Issues: suffer from high latency, which can cause delays or poor call quality during Wi-Fi calls.
- Internet Dependent: if your internet service is offline you won’t be able to use Wi-Fi calling.
- Router Dependent: Wi-Fi calling is dependent on the router, so if you walk away from the router it could reduce the Wi-Fi signal as well.
Download the My Skymesh app
You can now manage your account, track your data usage, and talk to our support team right from your phone. Download our app today which is available for both iOS and Android.
