Wireless Connectivity

As the world waits breathlessly for the eventual release of Apple’s (News - Alert) iOS 8, more details about potential and assured features are leaking out. The latest details involve iOS 8 Beta 3 and the inclusion of support for Wi-Fi phone calls. For anyone interested in BYOD and rich communication suite tools, this is particularly exciting. Industry analysts say the ability to make Wi-Fi calls is one of the biggest features to be added to iOS 8, even while it’s likely going to upset the wireless carriers Apple leans on in order to sell its products.

The Wi-Fi calling feature will allow users to make and receive voice calls while also receiving SMS messages if you have access to a Wi-Fi network. Considering the proliferation of Wi-Fi networks around the world and especially the United States, this could lead to a great deal of savings for people who aren’t on unlimited voice plans.

The feature for iOS 8 was first found in the settings of iPhones that are built to work on the T-Mobile (News - Alert) network. Inside the beta settings there is a “Wi-Fi” calling switch. Those in the know say the feature will only work if the user has already selected a home address (for emergencies). While there does seem to be some wide consternation about the ability to be making calls through Wi-Fi, Sprint (News - Alert) and T-Mobile both offer support for the technology.

T-Mobile has gotten ahead of the game by already announcing it will be supporting the iPhone version of this Wi-Fi calling. Sprint hasn’t said specifically whether they will do the same but it makes sense that they would in order to keep customers happy.

The benefits of Wi-Fi calling go beyond saving a little money by not leaning on a cellular network. Using a Wi-Fi network also comes in handy when making and receiving calls in homes or businesses where cellular reception is poor. Earlier this year, reports surfaced Apple had been testing working with VoLTE. While this is something entirely different it does continue to show Apple is working to make voice calling better than what is currently available.