What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of WiFi Calling?

  • Last Updated: 16 Mar 24
  • 14 min read
Advantages & Disadvantages of WiFi Calling | pros and cons

Using cellular network 📶 services to perform phone calls can be expensive and cellular phone towers will always not be accessible and strong everywhere.

Wi-Fi calling could appear to be a very good cost-effective alternative to cellular network providers and cellphone towers.

Just by using a Wi-Fi connection , you can perform Wi-Fi calling from anywhere in the world🌎 with improved call quality.

In this article, you will get to learn what Wi-Fi calling is, how it works, the advantages & disadvantages of Wi-Fi calling & how to enable it on a different device.

Especially, stick to the end to know the pros and cons of wi-fi calling.

Sounds good?

Let’s begin! 🧨

What is WiFi Calling? 🤔

Wifi Calling refers to the phone calls performed by using the wifi signals or wireless internet connection access rather than using a standard cellular network. The IEEE and the Wi-Fi Alliance have developed a set of standards that govern Wi-Fi.

wifi calling
Young People use Smartphones and Surfing in Social Media. Boys and Girls Chatting, Watching Video, Liking Photos. Female and Male Characters Talking in Mobile App. Flat Cartoon Vector Illustration.

 

Wi-Fi calling works much like a normal phone call in terms of user experience, you dial a contact number as you usually would. Just like a normal phone conversation, you can utilize all of the usual features in wi-fi callings, such as three-way calling and speakerphone.

You should take advantage of this quick development in the phone system by using Wi-Fi calling. Even though you’re not near a mobile network, you can perform Wi-Fi calls using your home broadband or Wi-Fi hotspot.

What Are The Benefits Of WiFi Calling? 🤩

The common benefits of Wi-Fi Calling are as follows:

1. Cellular network is not available everywhere

If you’re too far away from cellular towers for the signal to reach you, or if the signal isn’t powerful enough to penetrate your house, then this could happen.

2. Save Cost on Phone Calls

One of the reasons to choose wifi callings over cellular network phone calling is that wifi calling simply saves your money on phone calls.

If you use the free VoIP application then you just need an internet connection to make a call, it will be free of cost.

3. WiFi Availability

Using a wifi connection, you can make wifi calls from anywhere in the world. Nowadays, wifi connection is even available in public places like hotels, restaurants, marts, malls, public transport, parks, etc.

Benefits of WiFi calling

But those public wifi connections might not be as reliable as your personal & office wifi. However, you can make and receive wifi calls from those public places with wifi connections as well.

These are some of the reasons for using wifi calling but we will discuss its benefits in brief in this article.

Stick to the end!

After knowing what is wifi calling & some reason to use it, you might eagerly want to know how it works.

Let’s discuss! 🤝

How does Wifi Calling work?

If you dial after turning on Wi-Fi calling, your phone will automatically find the powerful network available. The call will then be routed over a Wi-Fi or cellular network, depending on which is the strongest at the moment.

If a Wi-Fi network outperforms your carrier’s cellular network then only your call can be routed through Wifi.

However, a technology called “VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)” service is the easiest & best way to make a Wi-Fi call. It establishes a phone service by connecting to a provider over internet service.

It appears to you to be very simple & uncomplicated, but there are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes to make it work.

VoIP technology is used to make calls via apps like KrispCall, Viber, Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype, and many other VoIP Applications. You can easily make calls using those VoIP applications with the help of a internet connection.

You don’t need to do much to obtain a robust network connection with today’s powerful devices. Businesses or individuals can use applications like KrispCall to make and receive Wi-Fi calls using any device with internet access, even if it doesn’t have a cellular network signal or even a SIM Card as well.

Wi-Fi calling, at its most basic level, employs VoIP to give callers a better calling experience.

👋 You May Also Like: Voice Gateway: Everything You Need to Know

What are the differences between VoIP Vs WiFi Calling?

The differences between VoIP and WiFi Calling are as follows:

FeatureWi-Fi CallingVoIP
TechnologyCarrier-branded feature built on VoIPSeparate software or platform
AccessibilityPre-installed on most smartphonesNeeds installation
ActivationSimple toggle setting on phoneVaries depending on the app and plan
CostSimple toggle setting on the phoneOften included with a mobile plan
ReliabilityIntegrates seamlessly with carrier networkMay be influenced by internet stability
ExamplesiPhone’s Wi-Fi Calling, Android’s Wi-Fi CallingSkype, WhatsApp, Krispcall, Messenger

Bonus tips:

  • Both Wi-Fi calling and VoIP utilize internet networks for voice calls.
  • Wi-Fi calling is typically more seamless and integrated with your existing mobile plan.
  • VoIP offers wider flexibility and options through different apps and platforms.
  • Consider your needs for call quality, cost, and convenience when choosing between them.
👉 Check Out: SIP vs VoIP

How to enable WiFi Calling?

WiFi calling isn’t turned on by default on your smartphone, but it’s an easy step to activate it. The absolute procedure to enable Wifi Calling

You have to ensure first that your device is connected to the wifi signals, then you have to complete the given steps below:

How to enable WiFi calling on iPhone?

Want to make wifi calls from your iPhone? We will provide you with a procedure that works similarly for almost every iPhone device like iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, iPhone X, & iPhone XS.

Steps to Enable Wifi Calling on iPhone are:

  1. From Home Screen go to Settings, click on the Mobile Data or Cellular option.
  2. You will see the Wifi Calling option, then Select it. (You can search Wifi Calling in search tools alternatively)
  3. Slide Wifi Calling button to right (Green).
  4. Click Enable after the pop-up appears.

After that, you can perform wi-fi calls from your iPhone using a wi-fi connection.

How to enable WiFi Calling on Android?

Steps to Enable Wi-fi Calling on Android phones are:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Click on Network & Internet option.
  3. Select Mobile Network, you will see the Wi-Fi Calling option. (You can search Wi-fi Calling in search tools alternatively)
  4. Slide the Wi-fi Calling button to right (On).

After that, you can perform wi-fi calls from your Android Phones using an internet connection.

If your device doesn’t have the wi-fi calling enabled choice, then you can simply download VoIP applications like KrispCall, WhatsApp, Skype, and so on. You just need an internet connection to make a call using those VoIP apps.

What Are the Advantages of WiFi Calling?

Wi-fi calling allows you to perform calls or send messages from any location that has access to a wi-fi network.

The advantages of wi-fi calling are:

1. The Alternative Solution over Poor Cellular Service

People who reside in an area with poor cell phone service might rely on wi-fi calling. It serves as a backup for your phone conversations.

It’s usually a good idea to have a backup plan in case your cell phone connection goes down for an extended period.

2. Improved Voice Quality

Wireless operators have been working on improving the phone’s wi-fi connectivity for several years. As a result, LTE audio sounds far superior to cellular systems.

3. No need to Install Apps

Wi-Fi calling does not require the installation of any apps or software. Many phones have wi-fi calling capabilities built-in.

4. Free Calls using Wifi Network

By using a strong wifi network connection, you can perform wifi calling free of cost. It means that you can perform a phone call using your wifi connection if you haven’t paid for your phone service to make normal calls.

5. Doesn’t ask for Extra Services

It doesn’t necessitate any special planning or services. Every month, your call minutes will be totaled and credited to your voice plan.

6. Doesn’t need a higher bandwidth

Wi-Fi calling does not need a large amount of bandwidth. As a result, if a good wi-fi connection is available nearby, you can use it.

👉 Checkout: How Much Bandwidth is Required for Quality VoIP Connections?

7. There are no additional logins required

Only your existing cell phone number is used for Wi-Fi calling. It does not necessitate any additional logins to function.

8. Provide a More Reliable Home Connection

You’re probably within just 50 feet of your Wi-Fi router if you’re making phone calls from home. The connection will be more reliable with good calling capabilities compared to making calls from far away.

9. Extends the life of the battery

The frequent search for cellular networks might reduce the battery of your cellphone.

Those are some advantages of wifi calling that will be beneficial for you. However, wifi calling also has some drawbacks.

What Are The Disadvantages of Wifi Calling?

Without a suitable wi-fi network, wi-fi calling is hard to establish. If you want to know the disadvantages of wi-fi calling, here we provide some of the downsides of wi-fi calling.

1. Poor Signal Quality in Public Places

Though Wi-fi calling is an excellent choice for calls made from home, it is far less effective when used in public places. Several users share the same wi-fi connection while they are in public places.

When your phone is competing for bandwidth, the quality of your calls may degrade.

2. There aren’t always Wi-Fi Hotspots available

You shouldn’t be sure that everywhere you go there is wi-fi hotspot available.

3. Wi-Fi Calling doesn’t Support Every Device

It’s necessary to have a smartphone with wi-fi calling built-in. Many Android smartphones and the latest iPhones include wi-fi calling capability.

4. International Phone Calls are Restricted

International phone calls might not be offered in some countries using wifi calling. For example, the major carriers offer WiFi calls to the United States when traveling internationally, but not to other countries.

👉 Checkout: Everything You Need to Know about Restricted Phone Call 📵

5. Charges for Data usage

If you disconnect your Wi-Fi connection and a call switches to your data plan when you aren’t utilizing your home or business internet service for Wi-Fi calling, you could be charged access fees or other unexpected expenses.

Those are some of the drawbacks of wi-fi calling that we should be aware of.

What Are The Differences Between Wifi Calling and Cellular Calling?

The Differences between Wi-Fi calling and Cellular calling are as follows:

FeatureWi-Fi CallingCellular Calling
CoverageInternet access requiredWorks anywhere with cellular signal
Roaming FeesNo (unless high data usage)Depends on carrier and location
Call QualityPotentially better, but vulnerable to internet congestionCan be affected by weak cellular coverage
Battery lifeSaves batteryDrains battery faster
ReliabilityDependent on internet stabilityMore reliable, stable coverage
Suitability for Urgent CallsNot ideal due to potential connection dropsMore reliable for urgent calls

How do I make Wi-Fi calls with KrispCall?

You are simply able to make wifi calls by using KrispCall VoIP apps. You just need to go to the KrispCall browser & sign in first. You can even download the KrispCall application for your Android and iOS devices.

krispcall cloud telephony

You need to buy the plan of KrispCall at your convenience. You will get your virtual phone numbers from more than 100 countries.

Pricing:

EssentialStandardEnterprise
$15 Monthly/user$40 Monthly/userCustomized Solution Contact Krispcall

KrispCall is a virtual cloud telephony solution that is super easy to configure. You can make phone calls whichever number you want using KrispCall but need an internet connection.

The KrispCall will not utilize your cellular data if you’ve already enabled Wi-Fi calling on your smartphone. It would be better to use an internet connection for wifi calling through KrispCall.

Summing Up

Now that you understand the ins and outs of WiFi calling, it’s time to take action! If you’re a frequent traveler or rely heavily on internet-based communication, WiFi calling might be a game-changer. But if you prioritize reliability and worry about internet stability, sticking with cellular networks might be your best bet. Ultimately, weigh the pros and cons against your needs and make an informed decision.

If your cell phone doesn’t support wi-fi calling then you can simply install a VoIP application on your phone. When it comes to making wi-fi calls using a VoIP application, we highly recommend KrispCall. KrispCall is a leading virtual cloud-based telephony solution for individuals as well as businesses. Even for your business, it will always help you to stay competitive in the market.

We have already discussed how to make wi-fi calls using KrispCall above, you just need to follow that procedure. You can also Schedule a free demo to learn more about its features.

FAQ

Is Wifi calling free?

WiFi calling is often free, but you will have to pay if you wish to conduct an international call.
There is no extra charge for Wi-Fi calls but they are deducted from your monthly voice plan.

Is Wi-Fi calling good or bad?

Since Wi-Fi calling is a fantastic alternative for calls made from homes, it is far less reliable when used in public places.

In-home, you are always near to routers and don’t have to share wifi connections with many people. But in public places, several users share the same Wi-Fi connection at the same time.

Does Wifi Call use data?

It does not utilize data from your phone plan if the call is conducted through a Wi-Fi network. But if the wifi calling is made through the mobile network, it obviously uses your mobile data plan.

Is Wifi Calling Safe?

When you’re utilizing a Wifi connection your mobile provider encrypts your audio when you make a call. That makes such calls entirely safe.

However, you have to be careful while using a public wifi connection.

What if WiFi calling isn’t an option?

There is a chance that your device doesn’t have the option of wifi calling. Don’t Worry!

If your cell phone doesn’t support you can simply make wifi calls using KrispCall or other VoIP applications.

Does WiFi calling drain or save your battery?

WiFi calling will help save battery life in locations with weak cellular coverage but a good WiFi signal. If your cellular signal is weak or non-existent, you might consider shutting it off to save your battery.

Is Wi-Fi calling better than 4G?

Both 4G and WiFi calling have certain benefits that make them superior to one another. While 4G is a cellular connection method, WiFi calling is a cloud-based communication option. Depending on the user’s demands and circumstances, one may be superior to the other.

admin

Head of Content @ KrispCall (or, in plain English, I'm the guy responsible for ensuring that every blog post we publish is EPIC).

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