Advantages and Disadvantages of Wifi Calling

WiFi calling, also known as Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi), allows you to make and receive phone calls over a WiFi network instead of a traditional cellular network. It enables your phone to use a WiFi connection to create a virtual cell tower, routing calls and messages through the internet.
 

With WiFi calling, you can make clear, uninterrupted calls even in areas with weak cellular signals. It works just like a regular phone call—you dial a number and talk as usual. The only difference is that the call is transmitted over the internet.

WiFi calling requires a WiFi connection, making it a great option when cellular signals are weak or unavailable. It can be particularly beneficial for those who are frequently on calls, as it helps reduce phone call costs.
 

WiFi calling does not incur additional costs for domestic calls - the cost is included in your monthly voice plan. However, making international calls via WiFi calling may involve minimal charges, depending on your carrier’s rates.

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of WiFi calling can help you decide if it’s the right choice for your communication needs. While WiFi calling provides a reliable backup when cellular signals are weak, it can suffer from unreliable signal strength in public places. Moreover, wifi calling consumes your phone’s battery faster than normal cellular calls.
 

Wifi calling provides various benefits such as reliability, mobility, and high-quality phone calls. Below are discussed some of its significant advantages.
 

1. Backup Cellular Coverage

While cellular networks are not available everywhere, wifi calling acts as a backup when you don’t have access to the cellular signal or have weak cellular signals. It helps you make phone calls via the internet. Nowadays, you can get a wifi connection or use your personal wifi hotspot in most parts of the world, meaning you can call from anywhere you want without cellular coverage.
 

2. No Need for Additional Apps

WiFi calling is an in-built feature of most advanced smartphones. So, you don’t need any type of additional application to utilize this feature. All you need to do is enable this feature on your smartphone, and you are ready to make wifi-based calls. No type of application or hardware is required for it to function.
 

3. Offers More Reliable Connection From Home

An internet connection is far more reliable than regular cellular coverage. In the modern world, there is internet connectivity in every household. But still today, there is only one cellular tower in most of the rural areas, which doesn’t provide reliable connections to make phone calls from your home. People struggle to get a decent cellular signal to make phone calls. Moreover, physical things like buildings can interrupt the cellular signal. In that case, WiFi calling offers a more reliable connection from your own home.

WiFi calling has some drawbacks, such as unreliable signal strength in public places, limited availability of WiFi hotspots, and increased battery drain.
 

1. Unreliable Signal Strength in Public Places

Although wifi calling is the best option for your home, public places with many people sharing the same internet connection may interrupt Wi-Fi calls. Places like restaurants, hotels, airports, etc., have a common internet connection, which slows the speed of the internet. Additionally, the public internet connection may not be as secure as your home wifi connection. So, a Wi-Fi connection may not be the best option in public places, as it can provide unreliable signal strength.
 

2. Wi-Fi Hotspots Aren't Always Available

You will need a wifi connection for Wi-Fi calling, but wifi connections may not be available in every possible place. You may not find a Wi-Fi hotspot in most places, even though the number of public wifi hotspots has increased by 73% over the years from 2018 to 2023. Using a personal wifi hotspot may temporarily solve this problem, but it may also not give you a reliable connection for Wi-Fi calls. You may switch to the cellular phone system if you cannot find a stable WiFi hotspot.
 

3. Wifi Calling Drains Your Battery Faster

Utilizing Wi-Fi calling can be a lifesaver when cellular signals are weak or unavailable. However, it comes with a trade-off: increased battery consumption. When you make or receive calls over Wi-Fi, your smartphone expends more energy maintaining a stable connection and ensuring call quality. The constant search for a robust Wi-Fi signal and the data transfer during a call places a greater strain on the battery than traditional cellular calls.
 

4. Wi-Fi Calling From Carriers is Still a Relatively New Technology.

WiFi calling is a relatively new technology compared to cellular calling. Most people still don’t know this feature exists in their smartphones, as wifi call feature is still unavailable in some countries.

Wifi calling has been better than cellular calls, especially when you have weak cellular coverage and access to the internet. It is more advanced than the traditional cellular telephone system.

Choosing between Wi-Fi calling and cellular calling depends on various situations. Both WiFi and cellular calling have their own advantages and disadvantages. WiFi calling is the better phone communication option if you have a stable internet connection.
 

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Wi-Fi calling can be better than mobile calling in areas with poor cellular coverage. However, mobile calling is more reliable in areas with strong cellular signals.

Wi-Fi calling has some disadvantages, such as unreliable signal strength in public places, increased battery consumption, and dependency on the availability of a Wi-Fi network.

It is safe to enable WiFi calling. It uses encryption to protect your calls, ensuring your conversations remain private and secure.

You can leave Wi-Fi calling on all the time. It automatically switches between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. However, leaving it on may increase battery consumption.

Wi-Fi calling improves call quality, especially in areas with weak cellular signals. Moreover, when you make international calls, it uses your internet connection instead of cellular minutes.

A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal, network congestion, or interference from other devices could be the reasons for your Wi-Fi calling is not good. Ensure you have a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection for the best experience.

It is generally better to have Wi-Fi calling on, as it can improve call quality in areas with poor cellular reception. However, if you experience increased battery drain or issues with call quality, you may turn it off.

You might turn off Wi-Fi calling if you experience poor call quality due to an unstable Wi-Fi connection, increased battery drain, or if you prefer to rely solely on your cellular network.

Wi-Fi calling can use more battery than regular cellular calls, as your phone expends additional energy to maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection.

WiFi calling is generally free for domestic calls and is included in your regular voice plan. However, international calls may incur charges depending on your carrier’s rates.