Telstra has rolled out support for W-Fi calling to subscribers with Samsung's Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones, allowing them to make and receive calls over household wireless, rather than cellular. To enable Wi-Fi Calling, you'll need to download the newly released Android Nougat update for your S7 or S7 Edge.
Wi-Fi Calling technology is designed to let people make and receive phone calls over their household Wi-Fi networks, to help address situations where one may live in a mobile blackspot or not have cellular coverage in certain parts of their home.
Telstra mobile customers who also have a Telstra fixed-line broadband connection will be able to use Wi-Fi Calling without eating into their home broadband data allowance.
Telstra Wi-Fi Calling will only kick in when there's insufficient network coverage to make or receive a phone call. Notably, if you've got Wi-Fi Calling enabled, your phone will be able seamlessly handover from cellular to Wi-Fi (or vice-versa) when coverage is insufficient. Wi-Fi Calling only works with calls, SMS and MMS messages still require a 3G or 4G connection.
Wi-Fi Calling will only work on Galaxy S7 devices purchased directly through Telstra. S7s purchases outright from another retailer run slightly different software, rather than the Telstra specific version found on devices bought on-contract.
Wi-Fi Calling is also available on Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones. Telstra plans to add Wi-Fi Calling to more devices throughout the year.
Alex Choros
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