Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Android
    • Android
    • Apple
    • Mobile

    AT&T Brings WiFi Calling to Android Phones

    Written by

    Todd R. Weiss
    Published June 16, 2016
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Eight months after rolling out WiFi calling for iOS smartphones, AT&T has unveiled the service for Android devices, though it only works with only one Android phone model as the service begins—the year-old LG G4 handset.

      The start of AT&T’s WiFi services for Android users was announced by Bill Smith, the president of AT&T Network Operations, in a June 15 post on the AT&T Innovation Space Blog. Customers who use an LG G4 smartphone can immediately begin to use WiFi services to make or receive calls or send and receive text messages, wrote Smith.

      To use the service, customers must activate the feature by installing a software update after they receive a notification on their phone that it is available, he wrote.

      The WiFi services will be available on additional models of Android smartphones soon, Smith wrote, but no further details were announced about other models that might be included.

      Smith did not immediately respond to an email inquiry from eWEEK asking why the year-old G4 was the first phone to get the new service, rather than newer models including the LG G5 or the Samsung Galaxy S7 series.

      An AT&T spokesman told eWEEK in an email reply: “In order to maintain consistency and ensure the best customer experience, carriers often roll out services on a device-by-device basis. This is a common practice in the industry. We plan to launch WiFi Calling on additional devices in the future.”

      AT&T has been offering WiFi calling on the Apple iPhone SE, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones since last October, according to an earlier eWEEK story.

      The iPhone WiFi services were made possible after AT&T received a waiver from the Federal Communications Commission of rules that require accommodations for hearing-impaired customers who rely on teletypewriter (TTY) services. The waiver was required because TTY services don’t operate properly over WiFi networks. TTY services under FCC rules must be provided for telecommunications networks. TTY services allow voice communication to be relayed using typed words, rather than by voice.

      Using WiFi calling, AT&T customers will continue to use their existing mobile phone numbers and will be able to make and receive calls as they normally would on the cellular network, as long as they have a compatible device, a postpaid wireless account that is set up for HD Voice and a WiFi Internet connection. No separate app or configuration is needed. There are no additional costs for the service for calls to U.S. phone numbers.

      AT&T customers who make a call over WiFi on their U.S. number to another U.S. number get the call free of charge, even if they are making the call from overseas, wrote Smith. Customers can also use WiFi calling in the Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as most international countries.

      A user’s phone will automatically detect and use WiFi when it determines there is limited or no cell coverage, according to AT&T.

      Sprint has been offering WiFi calling services to many of its Android customers since February 2014, according to an earlier eWEEK story. In April 2015, Sprint iPhone users also got the capabilities, as long as they use iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s smartphones.

      T-Mobile launched its WiFi calling technology in June 2007, and has been expanding it over time, according to a previous eWEEK report. In September 2014, T-Mobile unveiled home “cellspot” routers that allow customers to make WiFi calls in their homes or businesses, essentially turning the WiFi connection into a cellular tower.

      Todd R. Weiss
      Todd R. Weiss
      Todd R. Weiss is a seasoned technology journalist with over 15 years of experience covering enterprise IT. Since 2014, he has been a senior writer at eWEEK.com, specializing in mobile technology, smartphones, tablets, laptops, cloud computing, and enterprise software. Previously, he was a staff writer for Computerworld.com from 2000 to 2008, reporting on a wide range of IT topics. Throughout his career, Weiss has written extensively about innovations in mobile tech, cloud platforms, security, and enterprise software, providing insightful analysis to help IT professionals and businesses navigate the evolving technology landscape. His work has appeared in numerous leading publications, offering expert commentary and in-depth analysis on emerging trends and best practices in IT.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.