To Improve Voice Coverage, Sprint Adds Wi-Fi Calling

Last week, Sprint announced plans to rollout software updates that will allow users to place calls using available Wi-Fi networks. However, it will be a rather slow rollout. So far, only smartphones will be afforded the updates, beginning with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and the S4 Mega over the next few weeks.

Wi-Fi calling is a free service allowing customers to place calls over their wireless Internet connection, including public Wi-Fi. Using this service, Sprint customers should experience improved voice, data and messaging services in areas that previously had limited or no mobile network coverage.

This update will be pushed down in the form of an over-the-air update. Word is that Sprint will ultimately expand the service to include additional devices. While there is no official date for this expansion, Sprint is saying that these devices will see updates throughout 2014.

This is not the first rollout of Wi-Fi calling, which basically turns your call into a Voice over IP (VoIP) call. In 2010, T-Mobile was the first wireless service to launch Wi-Fi calling. There are skeptics that say that with the improved quality of today’s smartphones, Wi-Fi calling isn’t really necessary.

Sprint admits that it’s not uncommon for customers to experience mobile network coverage issues within their home, apartment or office due to building materials interfering with Sprint’s network. For customers that travel outside of Sprint’s coverage or experience poor coverage in their homes or office, Wi-Fi Calling is a perfect solution that addresses these issues.

Sprint is not the only service provider affected by this. I use AT&T, and there is a great deal of difference between making a call from one end of my apartment to the other. The same goes for text messages. Clearly, building structures do play a role in affecting coverage. I even have the latest iPhone, yet I still experience the same issues as my previous devices.

Sprint customers will thus benefit from the following:

• Enhanced coverage
• Easy setup: Once activated, everything is seamless and happens in the background automatically
• Unlimited voice calling and messaging on Wi-Fi: All domestic calling and messaging is FREE (standard CDMA international rates apply for international calls)

You can see how such a feature would be useful, especially under certain Sprint plans where voice minutes and text messages are counted toward a monthly activity allotment.

Wi-Fi calling does have some limitations, however. For instance, its short range means users may be constantly handing-off between multiple networks if they move around a lot. Also, since the spectrum is unlicensed, the airwaves can become congested, and interference between different Wi-Fi networks is not uncommon.

Nevertheless, anything that gives users more options is a good thing.