Wi-Fi calling: what it is, why you are interested in it and how to set it up in Movistar, Vodafone and Orange

WiFi callsWi-Fi calls or just vowi-fi, combine the best voice calling experience with one of the most popular wireless technologies. The result of this union is strength call whoever you want Although mobile coverage let it be desirable or conspicuous by its absence. Also, thanks to a good wifi connectionyou can talk to someone with Very good sound quality.

Although we used to do calls via mobile line, the Internet is increasingly being used to send audio messages or even make voice calls. But it is one thing to use the Internet through 4G or 5G networks or from WiFi networks and somewhat different is the technology known as vowi-fithat is, Voice over WiFi.

• What are calls over Wi-Fi
• Benefits of calling over Wi-Fi
• Setting up Wi-Fi calls in Movistar
• Set up Wi-Fi calling on O2
• Set up Wi-Fi calling on Vodafone
• Set up Wi-Fi calling in Orange

  • Fine print services

• Set up VoWiFi on MásMóvil and other mobile operators

What are calls over Wi-Fi

WiFi calls use popular Wi-Fi network available around you to do Voice call. For this you will need compatible mobile phone With technology VoWiFi or Voice over WiFi. It should not be confused with similar technologies such as VoIP calls or VoLTE calls.

While WiFi calls work over the WLAN, calls VoIP works on the Internet, be it mobile, wireless or cable network. And finally calls VoLTE uses 4G mobile networks work.

So the default voice calls we make with our mobile phones use mobile network available. Either 2G, 3G or, in the case of VoLTE, 4G. But the most modern terminals allow take advantage of Wi-Fi coverage and in places where there are no mobile antennas, but there is wireless Internet, you can make calls via Wi-Fi.

Benefits of calling over Wi-Fi

Despite the fact that mobile operators have expanded antennas and installations In most cities and towns, you can always find blind spots where there are little or no coverage. Necessary for an emergency call and something else. Against, wired internet connection They have spread to places where there was no mobile communication and the Internet before. And where there is internet, there is usually one or more wifi antennas.

The main advantage of calling over Wi-Fi is sound quality, surpasses calls on a mobile network. Another advantage is that they free calls. While most mobile plans today offer free calling hours, not all have them within reach. And the third advantage is that, unlike VoIP calls, you don’t need to install apps on your phone. The mobile itself is used for make calls over Wi-Fi.

In a previous article, I explained how you can make calls over Wi-Fi if you have an Android phone or an Apple iPhone. We will now see how to make this type of call. which phone operator you have entered into a contract Mainly because, in addition to a compatible mobile phone, you will need your company or operator also offers this service.

Setting up Wi-Fi calls in Movistar

Movistar offers a Wi-Fi calling service on its official website under the heading “improve mobile coverage”. In his own words, “You only need connect to a Wi-Fi network (home or public) and activate WiFi calls V settings from your mobile device.

In the case of Movistar, “calls made in this modality They will be charged in accordance with the tariff that you contracted.”. In other words, free is relative. “For example: if you have unlimited calls in your tariff, you will not have any additional costs. However, if you have speed from X minutes and you have exceeded this limit, you will be billed according to your rate.”

With Movistar, to make calls over Wi-Fi, you need iPhone 6C forward with iOS 13.4 or higher. Or an Android terminal with Android 9 forward.

To turn on Wi-Fi calling on iPhone:

1. go to settings
2. Enter Mobile data
3. Activate option WiFi calls

To enable calls over Wi-Fi on Android:

1. go to settings
2. Enter calls > WiFi calls
3. Activate option WiFi calls by clicking on the appropriate button

Set up Wi-Fi calling on O2

O2 is a mobile operator dependent on Movistar and also provides services WiFi calls. In principle, the same as for Movistar also works for O2. But on his help page, he gives us some additional guidance, such as Wi-Fi calls “follow the same rules as traditional roaming calls“.

It also states that “if you enable WiFi calls on your Android mobile phone, they will take precedence over VoLTE calls.” And it shows a list of mobile terminals compatible with both VOLTE as with WiFi calls.

• From MansanaiPhone 6S or later with iOS 13.4 or later
• From HuaweiP30 (and P30 Pro), Mate 20 (and Mate 20 Pro), P40 (and Lite, Pro and 5G)
• From OPPOA9 2020, A91, Find X2 Lite (and Neo and Pro), A72
• From xiaomiRedmi 9
• From samsung, Galaxy S9 and S9+, S10 (S10e and S0+), Note 9, A50, A51, Note 10 (and 10+), A71, S10 Lite, S20 (and S20+, S20 Ultra 5G and S20+ 5G), A6, A20e, A40 , J6, A70, A21s, A9 since 2018, A6+, Note 9 and A31

Here is the complete list phones compatible with Wi-Fi and O2 calling. It can be expanded over time.

Set up Wi-Fi calling on Vodafone

If you have entered into a contract with an operator vodafone talk on a mobile phone, their catalog of services includes Wi-Fi calls or, as they call them, Voice over WiFi. In his words, “it allows you to enjoy best voice call quality when you are in places with poor mobile coverage.

To use Wi-Fi calling, vodafone recommends:

• Connect to a WiFi network regardless of carrier
• Update the terminal software
• Activate Voice over WiFi V Settings > Connections
• Also activate the VoLTE service

How does it happen with MovistarVodafone warns us that “voice calls made via Voice over WiFi are billed at minutes consumption your voice contract rate“.

List compatible mobile devices with Vodafone calls and Wi-Fi is very extensive. The full list can be found in this online PDF file. From MansanaFor example, they serve iPhone 8 and above. Also includes most devices Samsung current. as well as some OPPO and other brands such as HONOR, NOKIA, Realme or ALIVE. From xiaomie.g. 10, 11, 12 and 13 series, Redmi 9T, 10, Note 10, 11 and 12.

From my side, lowiethe second brand of Vodafone in Spain, does not have VoLTE or Wi-Fi service for now.

Set up Wi-Fi calling in Orange

The third largest telephone operator in Spain, Orangealso has WiFi calls. On his official page, he offers complete information about him to his clients. While it does not specify which terminals it is compatible with, it is limited to saying that “the service compatible with most models terminals purchased both through Orange and other distributors (Amazon, Media Markt, El Corte Inglés, etc.)”.

In the questions section, Orange explains what we can access to any Wi-Fi network make calls over Wi-Fi. Public, private, Orange, or other provider. It also indicates that we can call any numbermobile or stationary.

To activate Wi-Fi calling, it will depend on whether iOS or Android, as we saw above. Usually you have to go to settings and look for an option WiFi calls. On the Orange page you will find information for terminals Apple, Samsung, Sony And LG.

Fine print services

Service available no extra cost for all our clients with accommodation contract. In the case of business customers, the service is available for self-employed and companies with less than 5 lines.” If we want to use the service with rate is not compatible, we will receive an SMS. In other words, like Movistar and Vodafone, “calls you make within a Wi-Fi coverage area will be charged as a regular call, according to your rate”. Also, if we do International calls or we will call special rate rooms. Rates will apply for each type of call.

With regard to the brands or operators that are part of Orange, Jaztel It also allows you to activate the service WiFi calls. Not so with other brands. Shimyo. Something that may change in the future, but no specific date.

Set up VoWiFi on MásMóvil and other mobile operators

We talked about Movistar, O2, Vodafone and Orange. But there are many mobile operators in Spain. One of the most popular is Read moreMobile. Either through its main brand or through other related brands: Euskaltel, Yoigo, Pepephone, Llamaya, Lebara, Lyca Mobile, Virgin Telco, Telecable And Guuk.

While writing these lines though Read moreMobile has an entry on his official blog explaining that wifi calls, includes a note stating that “currently in MassMoville we do not have wifi service“. On the other hand, specialized media broadband access points to it number is working on offering its customers calls over Wi-Fi. But it is unknown when it will be available.