Bharti Airtel has started testing the Voice over Wi-Fi technology on select smartphones in regions like Bengaluru, Pondicherry and more.
Over the years, we have seen much revolution when it comes to data speeds and calling technology. Initially, all calls used to happen over the 2G network, and that was the norm, but after coming of Reliance Jio, the Voice Over LTE technology, or popularly known as VoLTE has become the norm. The next in line in the series of improvements in voice calling is a similar technology known as VoWi-Fi. It doesn’t take a lot to understand what VoWi-Fi does as the name itself is pretty self-evident. Instead of carrying the call over a 4G network, the VoWi-Fi technology carries it over a Wi-Fi network hence making the cellular network available in places where there is poor cellular connectivity. For places that are secluded and remote, the VoWi-Fi technology can facilitate high-quality voice calls. Now in a new development, we have come to know that Bharti Airtel is testing this technology on some new phones.
Airtel VoWi-Fi Technology Available on OnePlus 7T
Currently, other over the top applications like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc. offer calling over the internet, but the catch with these applications is that the call should be made from the app itself and it can’t be done from the traditional Phone app of your device. This is where the VoWi-Fi technology differs as it can facilitate calls over the Wi-Fi network through the Dialer app only. Previously we have seen Reliance Jio testing the VoWi-Fi technology on some models of Apple iPhone after the technology was approved by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). But, now Bharti Airtel is also on the task of testing the VoWi-Fi services on some of the new devices. The Airtel VoWi-Fi testing was latest seen on the newly launched OnePlus 7T.
We have learned from our sources that Bharti Airtel is testing VoWi-Fi service in multiple locations like Bengaluru, Chennai, Pondicherry, among others. In Hyderabad, when we tried to latch onto VoWi-Fi, our OnePlus 7T failed to. So clearly the service is available in only select cities and that too in limited areas.
VoWi-Fi Features: How Will it Work?
In case you have got your hands on a OnePlus 7T smartphone, and you happen to have an Airtel 4G SIM on this phone, then you should definitely give a shot to this service to test it out. To do that, you will have to go to an area where the service is being tested right now. When you are in the proximity of a Wi-Fi network that allows you to make calls over the network, you will be able to see an icon that denotes the VoWi-Fi service. The VoWi-Fi icon would be visible near the signal indicators in the Quick Settings toggles. You will also be able to select which form of calling you would like to prioritise, Voice over Cellular Network and VoWi-Fi.
If you choose the latter option, then you would be able to see the text “Calling via WiFi call airtel”, when you make a call. In case you are moving through the network and you happen to stir beyond the Wi-Fi network, then the call will be carried over to the VoLTE network without a drop in the call. It is also worth noting that when you are using Wi-Fi for different purposes and taking too much bandwidth, then the VoWi-Fi icon will disappear signaling that the VoWi-Fi service is not available right now.
Airtel Testing VoWi-Fi on iPhone
Also, it is interesting to note that OnePlus 7T is not the only device on which Bharti Airtel is testing the VoWi-Fi service, but the telecom operator has been seen testing it on iPhone as well. On iPhone as the option is available a toggle can be turned on or off.
