CNET editor Dong Ngo explains how Wi-Fi calling works with the latest smartphones, including the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and picks the top five routers that are best for this technology.
Since the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are the first Apple phones that support both the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard and Wi-Fi Calling, the cell coverage for your smartphone has just jumped to a new level. So what is Wi-Fi Calling?
This is a technology that allows smartphones to deliver voice calls and text messages via an Internet-ready Wi-Fi network, instead of the regular cellular network. It's similar to Skype, but users can use their actual cell phone number for the communication in a seamless experience. In other words, Wi-Fi Calling lets the smartphone use the wireless signal of a Wi-Fi network it's connected to, as an extension of the cellular coverage. As long as the Wi-Fi network is connected to the Internet, the phone can make calls and send and receive messages, no matter where you are in the world.
Apart from bringing a cell signal to places it couldn't reach before (lower levels of a building or the basement), Wi-Fi Calling allows international travelers to call or text home without having to pay roaming charges, all with the convenience of simply using the smartphone.
In order for Wi-Fi Calling to work, it needs to be supported by the smartphone (most Android phones already do this) and the carrier. In the US, currently T-Mobile and Sprint support Wi-Fi Calling, with other carriers expected to soon follow suit.
For the end-users, the call quality of Wi-Fi Calling depends on the Wi-Fi signal and the Internet connection of that network. When traveling, there's not much you can do, since both the Wi-Fi network and the Internet connection are at the mercy of the particular destination. However, when you're at home, having a great Wi-Fi router would help increase the cell coverage a great deal, as well as the quality of Wi-Fi Calling. And if you have the new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, it's time to upgrade your home network to support 802.11ac anyway.
Following is a list of the top five home routers that, among other things, work well for Wi-Fi Calling. They are especially helpful for voice calls when you have a moderate or slow broadband connection. And if you have a fast broadband connection, these routers will make sure you get the best out of your Internet speed. All of them are high-end 802.11ac routers that have top-notch real-world performance and built-in QoS features that can automatically prioritize the Internet traffic for Wi-Fi Calling as well as other services.
These routers are listed in the order in which they were reviewed, with the most recent review first.
This is a technology that allows smartphones to deliver voice calls and text messages via an Internet-ready Wi-Fi network, instead of the regular cellular network. It's similar to Skype, but users can use their actual cell phone number for the communication in a seamless experience. In other words, Wi-Fi Calling lets the smartphone use the wireless signal of a Wi-Fi network it's connected to, as an extension of the cellular coverage. As long as the Wi-Fi network is connected to the Internet, the phone can make calls and send and receive messages, no matter where you are in the world.
Apart from bringing a cell signal to places it couldn't reach before (lower levels of a building or the basement), Wi-Fi Calling allows international travelers to call or text home without having to pay roaming charges, all with the convenience of simply using the smartphone.
In order for Wi-Fi Calling to work, it needs to be supported by the smartphone (most Android phones already do this) and the carrier. In the US, currently T-Mobile and Sprint support Wi-Fi Calling, with other carriers expected to soon follow suit.
For the end-users, the call quality of Wi-Fi Calling depends on the Wi-Fi signal and the Internet connection of that network. When traveling, there's not much you can do, since both the Wi-Fi network and the Internet connection are at the mercy of the particular destination. However, when you're at home, having a great Wi-Fi router would help increase the cell coverage a great deal, as well as the quality of Wi-Fi Calling. And if you have the new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, it's time to upgrade your home network to support 802.11ac anyway.
Following is a list of the top five home routers that, among other things, work well for Wi-Fi Calling. They are especially helpful for voice calls when you have a moderate or slow broadband connection. And if you have a fast broadband connection, these routers will make sure you get the best out of your Internet speed. All of them are high-end 802.11ac routers that have top-notch real-world performance and built-in QoS features that can automatically prioritize the Internet traffic for Wi-Fi Calling as well as other services.
These routers are listed in the order in which they were reviewed, with the most recent review first.