Is WIFI calling free?

Everything you need to know about WiFi calling

WiFi calling can be either free or a paid WiFi connection. In case you are using your phone data, you only need to enable WiFi calling to enjoy the services. When it comes to domestic WiFi calling, calls should be free, except in uncommon cases such as making a premium call.

WiFi calling is a service for Android and iOS smartphones offering the ability to make and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection. It is easy to use with no separate application or login needed. WiFi calling is a free service when calling to the United States, United States Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico number. International rates still apply for international numbers.

Think of WiFi calling is a perfect tool to keep in touch with family and friends in case you do not have a telephone line. Think of this for a moment- you arrive at your destination airport, your flight had been delayed, and now you have to call your host to come and pick you up.

You do not have an international telephone line, but you can access the internet due to the free WiFi available at the airport. In case you are connected, you can use several smartphone applications such as Facebook, Whatsapp, and Skype, to make a call. That is now how WiFi calling works, though. It is a built-in smartphone function and presently only available for the newest generation.

Do I get charged for WiFi calling?

You can make and receive calls with WiFi using your phone number for free in the U.S. even while traveling internationally. WiFi calling is a High Definition, H.D., voice service that uses High-Speed Internet connection to allow you to make and receive calls over a WiFi network.

WiFi calling is included at no additional charge with your existing voice program and H.D. voice-compatible device. It enables you to make and receive calls with WiFi using your phone number. WiFi calling also helps you connect when cellular service is not accessible or when you are having poor signal problems such as dropped calls.

In case you are dropping calls or cannot connect due to weak cellular network signal coverage, turn on your device WiFi calling feature. Your device then utilizes a WiFi connection from your home WiFi or a WiFi hotspot you are near so you can make calls as usual. There is no extra charge for WiFi calls inside the U.S.

How Much does WiFi calling cost?

The WiFi calling feature is accessible at no additional charge and is included in your existing monthly voice plan. Your WiFi calls to U.S. numbers, despite where you are located, are also free of charge apart from 411 and other premium calls.

WiFi calls to international numbers are billed as an international calling while in the United States also called international long distance. In case an international rate plan exists on your account, international calls are billed at those rates. A WiFi calling icon will appear on your screen during the call to confirm that it is using WiFi to connect it. In case the calls are using the Verizon or a roaming, standard voice charges apply.

It is worth noting that WiFi calling consumes data. Therefore, charges might apply in case the WiFi network you are connecting to charges an access fee. The charges usually depend on your WiFi access point’s access fee. To make a voice call, WiFi calling uses about 1mb for a minute of data. A one-minute video call typically uses about six to eight M.B. of data. And the actual data usage of your voice or video call may vary.

Is WiFi calling free internationally?

International WiFi calling

That depends on the carrier. Usually, if you are traveling abroad, you can use Skype, Viber or Whatsapp to call your friends and family back in the U.S., as long as it is a U.S. number, and the call should be free. Besides, AT&T launched WiFi calling, which allows users to call U.S. numbers from abroad over WiFi rather than a cellular network. So long as you are connected to WiFi, the calls will be free of charge. But this service only works for iPhones 6 or newer running with iOS 9.3.

However, carriers have different rules in case you are calling an international number. To understand this different scenario, check out the outline below;

For T-Mobile international WiFi calling is free. In case you have a T-mobile one or Simple Choice rate plan, and you get free unlimited international texting and data at up to 2G speeds in over 210 countries and destinations. In case you are not on these two tiers, WiFi calling outside the U.S. are charged at world-class calling rates.
For Verizon international WiFi calling is free. But WiFi calls to international numbers are billed as an international calling while in the United States, also known as internal long distance. In case an international rate tier exists on your account, international calls are billed at those rates.
Sprint international WiFi calling is also free. But international rates apply for international numbers, except in the cases of calling Puerto Rico number or a United States Virgin Islands. Also, WiFi calling is not accessible in nine countries; Cuba, China, Syria, Sudan, Singapore, Iran, India, North Korea, Cuba, China, and Australia. International WiFi calling for this carrier is also not accessible on these phone models- Hydro Vibe, Kyocera, HTC Desire 510, Sharp Aquos and HTC One Max.
When it comes to Google Fi international WiFi calling, in case you are calling over WiFi for a minute costs, vary depending on which country you are calling, and you are charged only for outbound calls. Typically Google Fi provides high-speed data in over 170 plus countries, and destinations for the same $10/GB you pay in the U.S. International data is a section of your standard data tier. Calls are $0.20/min.
In case you are using Republic wireless international WiFi calling is only supported to Canada. You can make calls to Wake Island, Midway Atoll, Johnston Atoll, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Rico. However, you may be charged $0.50/min.
For AT&T international WiFi calling are free. However, WiFi calling is restricted in thirteen countries. China, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, Vietnam, Emirates, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and India. AT&T calls to international numbers are charged based on;

In case you have international long distance package, and you call a country in that rate plan, those rates will apply.
In case your domestic voice tier has a decreased international calling rate, and you call a country covered by your tier, those rates will apply.
Otherwise, you will pay the pay per use rates for international long distance.

In case you are traveling abroad and want to keep in contact, it is best to avoid using your carrier altogether when making a call, and stick with third-party applications such as Whatsapp, Skype, and Facebook Messenger when you are connected to a building or the restaurant’s WiFi. You can use data; however, remember that it will cost you a lot in case you are roaming on cellular networks. In case you do not have a roaming tier, ensure and turn off data roaming in your settings before heading out.