WiFi calling for business explained: Pros, cons and FAQs

Mobile phone communication has significantly evolved over the last two decades. From regular cellular phone calls to WiFi calling, things have come a long way. If as a small business owner or startup founder you’ve wondered what WiFi calling is or if WiFi calling for business is the right option for you, here’s everything you need to know.

What is WiFi calling?

Ordinary mobile calls are made through cellular networks. WiFi calling, on the other hand, is made through a WiFi network. For the user, there will be no perceptible difference as long as the internet connection is steady and uninterrupted. It will feel like an ordinary phone call. All you’ve got to do is dial the number to reach the recipient.

Whether it’s WiFi calling for business or personal communication, if the internet connection is strong, you would be able to use all the other features that your carrier provides.

How does WiFi calling work?

For mobile phones to work, you have to be within the coverage area or ‘cell’ of a tower. If the network isn’t accessible, you may not be able to make or receive a call. In case the coverage is weak, your calls would get interrupted. WiFi calling is a solution to this problem.

WiFi calling uses the internet to make and receive calls. If the cellular signal is weak, users can connect to WiFi instead of a mobile network. If your phone provider supports WiFi calling, your phone would be automatically connected to the best and most reliable connection.

VoIP and WiFi calling: What's the difference?

Business owners wondering what WiFi calling is might sometimes confuse it with VoIP. (Voice over Internet Protocol). Put simply, it’s the technology that enables WiFi calling. VoIP refers to stand-alone apps that enable audio and video calls over the internet.

It’s a cost-effective and reliable technology but it does have some drawbacks. Although its ease of use has made it popular, VoIP does come with certain security risks.

Sensing the competition from third-party VoIP developers, mobile carriers rolled out WiFi calling that automatically uses a wireless network. So, as a smartphone user, you don’t have to install another app to make calls over the internet. If your phone supports WiFi calling, you only have to turn on the feature to use it.

Pros and cons of WiFi calling

Now that you’ve got a better understanding of what WiFi calling is, let’s look at the pros and cons of this feature. That will help you know whether WiFi calling for business makes sense for you.

Pros of WiFi calling

The answer to weak mobile coverage

There may be parts of your office or home where the mobile signal could be unsteady and WiFi calling is an effective solution for these circumstances.

You don't have to install apps

There is no need to install any third-party app to start WiFi calling for business. This saves space on your smartphone.

More dependable in WiFi zones

If your home or office has a reliable WiFi connection and if you’re closer to the router, your calls might work better over WiFi networks. If you’re in a rural area with patchy cellular coverage, this could be a superior option.

Cons of WiFi calling

Undependable in public places

If you’re in the vicinity of a router, WiFi calling is a reliable option. But if you’re in a public place or are travelling, it’s less dependable since there will be many users competing for the same network.

Unavailability of WiFi hotspots

The number of public WiFi hotspots has been increasing but that doesn’t mean that they’re everywhere. This means your phone may not find a network to make a WiFi call.

Still a new feature

Mobile carriers have jumped on the WiFi calling bandwagon but not all of them offer the feature. Also, some feature phones (older generation mobile phones) don’t support WiFi calling.

Does WiFi calling use data?

No, it doesn’t use your mobile phone’s data since the calls are directed through WiFi networks.

How to enable WiFi calling on iPhone

• Go to Settings, Phone, and then, WiFi Calling

• On WiFi Calling on This iPhone, slide the button

• The slider would turn green to indicate that WiFi calling is now enabled

How to enable WiFi calling on Android

• Go to Settings, Networks & Internet, and then, Mobile Network

• Click on Advanced and go to WiFi Calling

• Click on the button next to WiFi Calling

Should I use WiFi calling for my business?

The answer depends on two things. If your business location or home has weak mobile coverage but you do have a reliable WiFi connection, WiFi calling is a good solution. Although, as most users know, cellphone coverage has been consistently increasing over the years. Unless you live in a very rural area, chances are that you have more steady coverage.

WiFi calling is always at the mercy of a WiFi network or public hotspot. If you’re on the move or are at a client’s office, your phone will always be looking for the next network. Since there are several others using WiFi for everything from calls to internet usage, there will be competition. And this will affect the quality of your calls.

Secondly, remember that WiFi is a stopgap solution that doesn’t add value to your business communication. As a business owner, freelancer or independent creative, your phone should work for you. That’s where non-fixed VoIP solutions come in.

Chalkboard: A more reliable business option to WiFi calling

Business owners searching for WiFi calling information should be looking at a solution designed for their needs. Why is Chalkboard a better option than WiFi calling? Because it uses cellular networks to connect to the internet. This is a more dependable option since almost all homes and businesses are now covered by mobile carriers.

With Chalkboard, you get a second line for work. You also get business tools such as auto-reply to set messages for calls that you might miss. Group broadcast allows you to send multiple messages to people without manually typing out each message.

Download Chalkboard and try it now.

WiFi calling FAQs

How much does WiFi calling cost?

Mobile carriers usually don’t charge anything extra for WiFi calling. The calls will be deducted from your plan.

Can I use WiFi calling overseas?

If your provider supports international calling, you can use WiFi calling overseas.

Will WiFi calling reduce my battery life?

WiFi calling doesn’t impact your phone’s battery life.

How fast does my WiFi connection need to be to make a WiFi call?

If your WiFi network or public hotspot has a bandwidth of 2 Mbps, it should be enough for WiFi calling.

Is WiFi calling secure?

Since mobile carriers encrypt the data, WiFi calling is secure.