Reliance Jio customers will now be able to do voice and video calls using WiFi networks as the telecom executive has begun its voice and video over WiFi service across the nation. The service will enable Jio customers to utilize any WiFi network for Jio WiFi-calling at no extra cost.
Jio’s Wi-Fi calling service has been worked out in Delhi-NCR and Chennai, and other circuits across India. It is currently accessible on compatible Samsung and Apple smartphones with more brands like Xiaomi arriving in soon. Jio had been experimenting with VoWiFi for some time now with the set working on Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro.
Talking at the launch of VoWiFi calling assistance, Akash Ambani, Director, Jio, said, “At Jio, we are continually innovating to improve customer participation or resolve their difficulties. At this time, when a common Jio customer over 900 minutes of voice calls every month, and at a viable base of customers, the launch of Jio Wi-Fi Calling will farther improve every Jio consumer’s voice-calling experience, which is now a benchmark for the business with India’s-first all VoLTE chain.”
What is VoWiFi?
VoWiFi or Wi-Fi calling is a setting where users can give or receive calls and SMS over a WiFi system.
With Wi-Fi calling, users get upgraded indoor coverage, more high-speed connectivity, and more explicit conversations. When you are connected to a Wi-Fi network and put a call from an acceptable device, the call feature is raised automatically.
How to activate Jio Wi-Fi calling?
You want to allow the Wi-Fi calling aka voice-over-Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) on your device to get the brand-new service. To achieve this, you want to first connect to a Wi-Fi network, and then hit the Settings menu of your phone. Here, depending on the make of the phone, you’ll have to locate the Wi-Fi Calling or Wi-Fi call option and approve it.
Additionally, while Jio alleges to extend the service across over 150 handset designs, it isn’t possible for all mobile phones. You can review the adaptability of your device by visiting the dedicated Jio Wi-Fi calling webpage.
Jio arch-rival Airtel last month began its Wi-Fi calling service for its clients in Delhi NCR. That movement made the Delhi-based operator the leading telco to carry Wi-Fi calling support. It also extended the availability of the service to urban cities such as Kolkata and Mumbai and expand its proximity to a list of handsets.
That being told, Jio is intending to take on Airtel by declaring the pan-India rollout of its Wi-Fi calling assistance. Given the expanding number of network problems in major centers across the country, Wi-Fi calling comes as a remedy to some extent. Users, however, require to connect to a Wi-Fi network to avail of the profits of the new addition.
Smartphones that are Compatible
So the main impediment for Airtel Wi-Fi Calling is the rather limited compatible smartphone list. Earlier, it was announced that Airtel Wi-Fi Calling is now accessible on 40 smartphones, but Reliance Jio states its Wi-Fi Calling is already possible on more than 150 smartphones. Apple smartphones like iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and all the iPhones published after iPhone 8 carries Jio Wi-Fi Calling.
Jio Wi-Fi Calling is also available in other smartphones from brands like Coolpad, Google, Infinix, itel, Lava, Mobiistar, Motorola. We were unable to find 150 smartphones on Jio’s website, but the group may refresh the website in the following days with the complete list of phones.
Did Bharti Airtel Just Succumb Its Win Against Reliance Jio?
In December 2019, Bharti declared a 5x month-on-month (MoM) extension by scoring over 12 Mn 4G subscribers in October and November of the same year. To concentrate more on 4G services, which is more useful in the digitalized Indian market, Bharti Airtel chose to take away with its 3G services as well by March 2020. The group was thinking to expand its 3G spectrum for 4G services.
At that speed, Airtel could have simply led to connect the gap between Reliance Jio, which is the second-largest telecom executive in India after Vodafone-Idea with a business share of 30.26%. Airtel, on the other hand, is the third-largest member with a 28.01% business share.
Notably, after Reliance Jio had to raise its rates in December 2019, along with other telecom services. In December Telecom operators were required to raise their voice and data rates by almost 50% to stay sailing after the Supreme court’s decision to add Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) in non-telecom revenues.
With this decision, Indian telecom operators — Bharti Airtel, Vodafone-Idea and other telecoms — owed near to INR 1.47 lakh Cr in debt to the state.