Home › News ›

AT&T to Wait Until 2015 to Launch WiFi Calling

Sep 12, 2014, 11:03 AM by Eric M. Zeman

AT&T's top exec today said the company won't offer WiFi calling on its devices until next year. WiFi Calling has been around for years, but was highlighted by Apple this week as a new feature in the iPhone 6/6 Plus. Further, T-Mobile announced this week plans to expand WiFi calling to all its smartphones with a new in-home hotspot. T-Mobile's WiFi service goes live soon, but AT&T is in no rush to compete. "We're very focused on making sure it's a great experience for customers, but we see it as a complement, not a replacement," said CEO Ralph de la Vega. "We feel good about a great nationwide network with unlimited talk and text." WiFi calling passes voice calls and text messages over a local WiFi network rather than the macro cellular network.

Light Reading »

Related

Review: Otterbox Universe and Olloclip 4-in-1

Olloclip's 4-in-1 lens is one of the first few accessories to work with Otterbox's new Universe modular case system. The case provides rugged protection, while the lenses let you be more creative with your Apple iPhone's camera.

Apple-Made iPhone 6 Battery Pack Graces Apple Store

Dec 8, 2015
Apple has designed and released its own external battery case for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. The accessory is formed by soft-touch silicone.

Twitter Adds Landscape Support to iPhone 6 Plus

Aug 5, 2015
Twitter updated its iOS application today and the chief new feature is landscape support for the iPhone 6 Plus. Owners of Apple's larger iPhone will now be able to use the app when holding their phone in either portrait or landscape orientation.

Twitter's Periscope App Powers Live Video Streaming

Mar 26, 2015
Twitter today released a new application for the iPhone called Periscope. The app lets people broadcast live video to their Twitter followers.

Google Calendar for iPhone Now Available

Mar 10, 2015
Google today released a version of its calendar application for iOS devices. The app includes features such as Assists to help schedule regularly-occurring meetings, as well as Schedule View to make it easier to glean daily schedule details in a glance.

Apple iPhone 6

4.7" display HD+ resolution
Apple A8 processor 1 GB RAM
1,810 mAh battery
Headphone Jack (3.5mm), NFC, Fingerprint Reader

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

5.5" display FHD+ resolution
Apple A8 processor 1 GB RAM
2,915 mAh battery
Headphone Jack (3.5mm), NFC, Fingerprint Reader

more news about:

Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

dougm

Sep 12, 2014, 11:42 AM

AT&T years

So by 2015 we can safely assume that it will be 2016 or 2017 before they've implemented it. Got it.

T Bone

Who cares? Everywhere I go, I have at&t service, so who needs it?

...

willbx718

Sep 12, 2014, 11:31 AM

Great experience?

It's just fancy VOIP service basically. Both Sprint and T-mobile have it, and it works just as if you were making a phone call over the cellular network. I'm using it right now on my HTC One Max on Sprint.

Even though I get great service where I live already with cellular, I choose to use WiFi calling instead for the battery saving advantages, and to insure that I always have a rock solid connection.

So instead of connecting to a tower blocks away, with large buildings in the way, my tower essentially is just a few feet away from me at all times, with no obstructions in the way.
Why AT&T and Verizon are choosing to drag their feet with this is beyond me.

I recently visited a family member in Maryland whom lives far, far off the b...
(continues)

thebriang

One word...Money.
From a bloodsucking leech perspective, there's not much to be gained from offering wifi calling. They know exactly how much money they will make in that year or three by delaying wifi calling.
Most of their customers wont leave ...
(continues)

...

DarkStar

Well then let me give you a reason why that feature is worthless. I don't have internet service in my home. I use my phone as a hotspot, because I get 30mbps in my home. Why would I pay the cable company 50 bucks a month for slower speeds and then h...
(continues)

T Bone

Sep 13, 2014, 12:22 AM

at&t's 'spin' is correct here

T-Mobile and Sprint emphasize WiFi calling because their networks suck and there are so many places where their customers can't get service and this feature helps to fill in the gaps in coverage. However, at&t's network is bigger, with fewer dead zones, so the feature is less necessary.

As far as it goes, I think this is exactly the correct spin for at&t to adopt.....we're not going to focus on filling in the gaps, we are going to focus on making sure that there are no gaps to fill in.

B-Sides

I agree T. It really comes down to Sprint and T-Mobile NEED to implement wifi calling to assist their inferior network whereas AT&T and Verizon don't have these issues.
Lets all not forget that T-Mobile still has a huge FOR SALE sign on their door a...
(continues)

Page 1 of 1