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Optus Second Operator in Australia to Launch WiFi Calling

Optus Second Operator in Australia to Launch WiFi Calling Image Credit: Optus

Optus has launched a new WiFi Calling service, also known as Voice over Wi-Fi. Optus is the second operator to launch the service in Australia after Telstra, which rolled out the service last year to customers with a Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Vodafone Australia said in April last year that it would be launching WiFi calling 'shortly', but have yet to introduced the service. 

WiFi calling allows customers to easily make and receive calls, SMS and MMS where there is limited mobile coverage but an accessible WiFi service, such as home or public WiFi.

The new WiFi Calling service is available to Optus customers across Australia and will operate wherever there is an accessible WiFi service, such as home or public WiFi. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge which support Optus VoLTE, are the first devices available to support WiFi Calling, with plans underway to include more devices.

Optus said that WiFi Calling differs from WiFi Talk, Optus’ app based solution that customers download to their device to make and receive calls and SMS over WiFi.

WiFi Calling is supported by inbuilt device technology and is set-up on the device where VoLTE – Voice over LTE (4G) – is enabled. With a compatible handset, WiFi Calling easily allows calls to switch between WiFi and mobile networks for optimal user experience.

Dennis Wong, Acting Managing Director, Optus Networks 
WiFi Calling allows customers to stay connected if mobile coverage is limited when they are out-and-about, at home or in the office but have access to a WiFi connection. When Wi-Fi Calling is switched on, the device automatically detects and seamlessly switches to an available Wi-Fi connection to use voice and messaging services.

Richard Fink, VP of IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia 
We are delighted to have collaborated closely with Optus to be the first handset manufacturer to launch the Voice over WiFi service via the Optus network and on the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones. We will continue to work with Optus to roll out support for this service on further products.

Author

Ray is a news editor at The Fast Mode, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in the wireless industry.

For tips and feedback, email Ray at ray.sharma(at)thefastmode.com, or reach him on LinkedIn @raysharma10, Facebook @1RaySharma

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