EE WiFi Calling: call and text even when there's no mobile signal

EE has launched a service which makes calls and texts available wherever there’s WiFi.

EE’s new WiFi Calling service allows you to call and text as normal via the internet, even if there is no mobile signal.

Users connect their phone to a WiFi network and then they can use it as normal for calls and texts, whether they have mobile reception or not.

This means you can call and text in poor signal areas, rooms in your house without mobile reception, and WiFi-connected underground stations.

WiFi Calling is different to other WiFi services in that it works via the user’s normal contacts book, phone dialler and text message service – there’s no separate app to log into. Call logs and message conversations will continue as normal.

Other services that allow calls and texts over WiFi - such as Skype, WhatsApp and Viber - require users to log in via a separate app. Similarly, O2’s TU Go and Three’s InTouch apps work separately to normal calls and texts on a handset.

What does it cost?

Installing WiFi Calling is free. If you make a call or text, it will come out of your monthly allowance – so it will be free if you have unlimited calls and texts. If you exceed your monthly allowance, you’ll be charged for the call or text at standard rates in the same way you would if you were using the mobile network.

WiFi Calling won’t use up any of your EE data allowance as you’ll be using WiFi, rather than the EE network.

Which handsets does it work on?

At the moment only a handful of handsets have been enabled for WiFi Calling by EE – these are the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5S, 5C, and Microsoft Lumia 640.

To use WiFi Calling your handset has to come from EE, as it needs the network's software to enable the WiFi Calling feature. So if you buy a handset elsewhere and insert an EE Sim, it won’t work.

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How do I set up WiFi Calling?

If you have an EE contract and a compatible handset you need to text "wifi calling" to 150 to set it up. You’ll receive a confirmation text when WiFi Calling has been activated.

You then need to connect your phone to a WiFi network and switch WiFi Calling on via the settings menu on your phone. You should see a WiFi Calling indicator on the top left hand of your screen.

The downsides

WiFi Calling is for EE customers only. We’ll have to wait and see if the other networks launch their own versions.

One issue with WiFi Calling at the moment is that when you move out of WiFi coverage your call will drop and you’ll need to call again once you have a mobile signal or are connected back on WiFi Calling. EE says it’s working on stopping calls dropping when they go between WiFi coverage and the EE network.

Another issue is that if you call 999 using WiFi Calling it won’t be able to identify your location. Hopefully you won’t need to call the emergency services but if you do you should try to use a landline or the mobile network rather than WiFi.

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