Internet telephony: Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE or Whatsapp?
Making calls with your mobile phone is also possible via the internet. Comparis explains how much Wi-Fi calling costs at Swisscom other providers, what alternatives you have and what to consider abroad.
03.09.2022
iStock/Pheelings Media
1. What is Wi-Fi calling?
With Wi-Fi calling, your mobile phone automatically establishes a connection to your provider’s mobile network via Wi-Fi. This allows you to make good quality calls even without mobile phone reception – for example in well-insulated buildings.
As usual, your phone number will appear on the display of the recipient of your call. All you need is a suitable smartphone, access to Wi-Fi and a mobile phone subscription.
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2. How can I use Wi-Fi calling?
Whether you can use Wi-Fi calling depends on your smartphone and your provider. Apple enables Wi-Fi calling, for example, from the iPhone 6 (with iOS 10), Samsung from the Galaxy S6. If in doubt, check with your provider.
To make Wi-Fi calls, you need to enable the feature on your phone. The instructions for this for iPhone and Android can be found below. If Wi-Fi calling is enabled, you will automatically make calls over Wi-Fi. If you are not connected to a WLAN, the connection will be established via the mobile network.
How can I turn Wi-Fi calling on and off on iPhone?
1.) Settings
2.) Telephone
3.) Wi-Fi calls
4.) Enable/Disable Wi-Fi calls on iPhone
How can I turn Wi-Fi calling on and off on my Android?
1.) Press the phone icon on your smartphone
2.) Press the three small dots
3.) Settings
4.) Enable Wi-Fi calling
3. How can I make phone calls with apps?
Wi-Fi calling is not the only way to make calls over the internet. Apps such as Whatsapp, Signal or Viber are also very popular. Again, you don’t need a telephone network to make a call, just a working internet connection.
Unlike Wi-Fi calling, both you and the recipient of your call must have the same app installed on your device. Here are some of the most helpful apps and phone tips.
4. What is VoLTE?
Another type of internet telephony is VoLTE (Voice over LTE). VoLTE is now the standard among mobile phone connections and automatically accesses the 4G network to establish telephone connections.
Compared to traditional mobile telephony, VoLTE improves the transmitted voice quality, consumes less battery and requires a shorter call setup time.
iPhone: how can I activate VoLTE?
Go to Settings > Mobile network > Data options. Tap Activate LTE or navigate to Settings > Mobile Data and tap Activate LTE.
Android: how can I activate VoLTE?
The exact procedure may be slightly different depending on the device. For Samsung smartphones: navigate to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks and activate the VoLTE calls switch.
5. Internet telephony: important differences at a glance
With Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE or app, it is not possible to make an emergency call. In emergency situations, the smartphone therefore establishes a connection to the conventional mobile network.
The reason is that the emergency call centre cannot determine your location via Wi-Fi, VoLTE or app and therefore cannot forward your call to the correct contact point.
| Wi-Fi Calling | VoLTE | Messenger app | Normal mobile telephony | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connection | Wi-Fi | 4G | Wi-Fi/3G/4G/5G | Mobile network |
| Battery consumption | Increased | Moderate | Increased | Moderate |
| App necessary? | No | No | Yes | No |
| Mobile phone reception necessary? | No | No | No | Yes |
| Emergency services available | No | No | No | Yes |
6. How much do Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE and WhatsApp calls cost domestically?
At Swisscom, Sunrise UPC and Salt Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE cost just as much as a conventional call in the normal mobile network. The minutes of the call will be charged at the standard rate specified in the mobile phone contract.
So there is no advantage in terms of price for Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE. Depending on the mobile phone contract or if public Wi-Fi is available, calling through a messenger app might be the most cost-effective option.
| Wi-Fi Calling | VoLTE | Whatsapp/Signal | Normal mobile telephony | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costs of telephoning domestically | Uses call minutes according to mobile phone contract |
Uses call minutes according to mobile phone contract |
Uses mobile data volume | Uses call minutes according to mobile phone contract |
Conclusion: the mobile phone contract makes the difference. Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE are no cheaper domestically than normal mobile telephony.
7. How much do Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE and WhatsApp calls abroad cost at Swisscom, Sunrise UPC and Salt?
Most providers do not offer Wi-Fi calling abroad. Salt is the only Swiss telecommunications provider that makes Wi-Fi calling possible abroad. The Wi-Fi calls are treated as if you are in Switzerland.
This means that Salt customers can call acquaintances in Switzerland or receive calls from Switzerland during their holidays abroad without incurring any additional costs. For calls within the holiday country, however, it is more worthwhile to make calls via the mobile network, depending on the subscription (e.g. with included minutes abroad). VoLTE relies on the 4G network and consumes potentially expensive data volume.
| Wi-Fi Calling | VoLTE | Messenger app | Normal mobile telephony | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costs of telephoning domestically | Not available (Only for Salt: normal domestic minutes for calls to Switzerland) |
Uses mobile data volume | Uses mobile data volume/uses WLAN | Standard international tariff |
Conclusion: Salt is the only mobile phone provider that enables Wi-Fi calling abroad. Whether it’s worth using depends on number of destinations and your subscription plan.
Do you travel a lot abroad? At Comparis, you can find out how to make cheap calls abroad.
Wi-Fi calling is standard on all current smartphones. However, those who frequently use public Wi-Fi should be aware that the connections are often not encrypted. A VPN tunnel for your smartphone can provide the necessary security and anonymity when making calls.
Jean-Claude Frick, Comparis digital expert
8. Conclusion Internet telephony: the transmission quality is convincing
Above all, internet telephony offers attractive transmission quality. Domestically, the use of Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE makes no difference in terms of price. This applies to users: with Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE, there is high call quality for the price of conventional mobile telephony. Abroad, it may be worthwhile to switch to messenger apps and Wi-Fi, depending on your mobile phone contract.
