2degrees launches Wi-fi Calling: one gotcha

UPDATED: Scroll to end of story for Spark and Vodafone comment

2degrees says it's shortly launching Wi-fi Calling and Txt, a new service that will let customers make a call or send a message using their phone's regular interface even if there's no mobile reception.

The service is being billed as a boon for those in remote holiday spots or travelling overseas. 

The company says the service is compatible with nearly any wi-fi network; the only real limitation is speed. It says any wi-fi connected to an ADSL copper line or faster – that is, most of the world's public wi-fi hotspots – should be fine. Individual or corporate wi-fi networks may have security settings that get in the way.

Although the new service sounds convenient, one gotcha will be that it charges standard 2degrees call and txt rates when freebie wi-fi tools like Skype and Facebook Messenger are on hand.

"In New Zealand, Wi-fi Calling will be charged as per a customer’s standard call rates so from their plan, pack minutes or balance," a 2degrees rep tells NBR.

"Similarly, when overseas, Wi-fi Calling will be charged as if you are calling from New Zealand."

The service will be rolled out shortly for Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ phones.

All going well, it will be extended to a wide range of models in the New Year.

When Spark first rolled out wi-fi to its phonebox network in 2013, the then chief executive of home mobile and business spoke of the possibility of integrating wi-fi and cellular calling. NBR has requested an update on that front. 

2degreees chief marketing officer Roy Ong says 2degrees has effectively just turned millions and millions of wi-fi connections around the world into potential 2degrees' cell sites.

“With Wi-fi Calling, if you’ve got wi-fi, you’ve got 2degrees cell coverage, he says.

“The nature of New Zealand’s topography means there are challenging spots in gullies or on the edges of cell site coverage areas. Building materials can also interfere with call transmission resulting in patchy coverage in your home or workplace – Wi-fi Calling has proved popular in cities internationally as a way of addressing connectivity in basement offices and for buildings with thick concrete walls.”

Spark responds
"We announced earlier this year that we are in the process of upgrading New Zealand’s communications by switching from the aging PSTN [public switch telephone network] to the IP-[internet protocol] based Converged Communications Network (CCN). This change to our underlying infrastructure will open up a range of IP voice options, including voice over wi-fi, voice over IP and voice over LTE," a Spark spokeswoman tells NBR. 

When it launched its payphone network in 2013, Spark raised the possibility of integrating wi-fi and cellular calling. It seems that's still on the drawing board. 

"We are currently considering the payphone portfolio in an increasingly digital and connected world, but no firm plans have been made as to how it will be impacted," the spokeswoman says.

Vodafone responds
The guts of Vodafone's response is: you dont' need wi-fi to fill in gaps at home or abroad if you're on our network.

"Vodafone operates New Zealand’s fastest mobile network (according to independent testing by Ookla), covering more than 98.5% of the places Kiwis live, work and play, so we’re really confident about the state of our network," a spokeswoman says.

"Most of Vodafone’s mobile pay monthly plans include unlimited calling, so our customers can feel free to call and speak as much as they want without worrying about which network they’re connected to. 

"And for travel hungry Kiwis with an eligible Vodafone on-account mobile plan, we also offer Daily Roaming – which allows our customers to use their phone for just $5 a day in over 70 countries, leaving them worry-free and not having to search for wi-f or pay for expensive in-accommodation wi-fi."