Sprint Might Follow T-Mobile's Lead (again) by Offering WiFi Calling

[dgstorm]

According to supposed leaked internal documents at Sprint, it looks like the Now Network might just be gearing up to follow in T-Mobile's footsteps yet again. For a while now, T-Mobile has had WiFi calling in sparse limited areas around the country. The leaked docs suggest Sprint might soon rollout the same type of service.

For those unfamiliar with WiFi calling, it basically allows users to make phone calls over WiFi without ever using their cellular data plan at all. The leaked memo suggest that Sprint will confer maintenance updates on their Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy Mega which will enable the WiFi calling feature. Here's a quote with more of the details,

In order to take advantage of Wifi Calling, a customer will simply need a compatible device, enable the feature through a web interface, Cell Phones, Mobile Phones & Wireless Calling Plans from Sprint, and begin using it. No monthly charge will be assessed for turning on Wifi Calling. The training materials indicate that there will simply be a Wifi Calling toggle in the settings of "approved" Sprint Android devices going forward.

An interesting wrinkle here is that you must have Android Location Services turned on in order to make Wifi calls, and that it will only be a supported feature within the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Sprint explicitly states that Wifi Calling will not be approved or supported from other locations or while using a VPN. Outbound calls over Wifi won't be allowed without a CDMA signal present either — Sprint claims this is for 911 reasons.

While this could be a handy feature for some users, it makes us pause and wonder a bit. Most users on Sprint will likely have one of their plans which includes unlimited minutes. This leaves little room for value with such a feature. Please share your opinion of how and why this functionality would still be useful.

Source: AndroidCentral

 

[tedZilla99]

There is a possibility that you could have wifi/internet access and no cell signal, making this a good option if you needed to make a call.

 

[kodiak799]

Would also be a nice option at home if you have wifi. A seamless app/software to get it done could be in demand. I don't have a land line, but I do have an Ooma VoIP (combined with a GV account)....runs about $18/mo but is basically unlimited nationwide long distance. That price includes @ $10 for premium access to work with GV, which gives me the free long distance (not really necessary, just lets you pick-up the phone and dial out like any other phone, but goes thru GV account).

I haven't researched it, but it would be cool if I could take one of my old Android phones and set it up as a Google Voice bluetooth VoIP hub (then I could ditch the $18/mo I currently pay Ooma).

 

[jackiescivic]

There is a possibility that you could have wifi/internet access and no cell signal, making this a good option if you needed to make a call.

This is how we advertised it when we sold T-Mobile. But you better make sure that you don't have to leave the wifi network while on that call

Sent from my Droid Maxx

 

[johnomaz]

Wifi calling is one of my favorite features from TMobile. I was at Target and had no cell service. Target has free wifi so I connected to their guest network and could call out just fine. Same thing with going to the doctor's office. We have Kaiser so the hospital is pretty big. No one gets cell service in there but they too have free wifi.

At home since my wifi is always on, I get prefect call quality every time. IMO, every carrier should do this.

 

[jackiescivic]

Wifi calling is one of my favorite features from TMobile. I was at Target and had no cell service. Target has free wifi so I connected to their guest network and could call out just fine. Same thing with going to the doctor's office. We have Kaiser so the hospital is pretty big. No one gets cell service in there but they too have free wifi.

At home since my wifi is always on, I get prefect call quality every time. IMO, every carrier should do this.

I agree, all carriers should have wifi calling, but I doubt that will happen because then people won't need the network extender

Sent from my Droid Maxx

 

[kodiak799]

I agree, all carriers should have wifi calling, but I doubt that will happen because then people won't need the network extender

It won't happen because people will use a lot less cell minutes - think teenagers on family share plan....and VZW, AT&T and Sprint all have land line services, so they'd also be cannibalizing themselves.

Will be interesting if they offer this to people who don't have unlimited minutes (although I guess Sprint and TMo have unlimited minutes, anyway). Although if you read the fine print, this doesn't work without a CDMA signal present (supposedly for 911 purposes, which might be a legit reason). Not sure why I would bother toggling VoIP if I have unlimited minutes and have a CDMA signal, anyway.