Wi-Fi Calling may not be a stranger to you, especially since it was rolled out on Tello. 

Come join us as we explore the wonders of Wi-Fi Calling, the lifeline that keeps us connected when our signal is weak. It’s also our passport to lower phone bills when we’re abroad.

As we believe it is a real hero in the telecom world, we compiled the ultimate Wi-Fi Calling guide for you. From valuable tips and tricks to some great troubleshooting techniques, get ready to discover everything you need to know about Wi-Fi Calling.

What is Wi-Fi Calling?

There’s no other way to start this guide but with the basics: what is Wi-Fi Calling? 

Wi-Fi Calling is a service that allows users to make or receive calls by using Wi-Fi networks, as opposed to the phone’s carrier network. Or, in other words, making a call is done via the internet, and not a cell tower. The same theory applies to texting, as SMSes can also be sent and received using this technology. 

A little bit on the tech side: 

Wi-Fi Calling uses the VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology, meaning that the voice (or text) signals are turned into data packets and sent through a Wi-Fi network, using an ISP (Internet Service Provider). The signals are then sent back to the cellular network and then, they reach the recipient. 

Wi-Fi Calling is a great and innovative alternative way to stay connected both domestically and internationally. It is an awesome option whenever you are in a remote area and you have a weak signal. It also works as free roaming, keeping you away from huge costs whenever traveling. 

And if that is not cool enough, there’s more to it! You don’t even need to download any apps or go through complicated settings in order to use it. 

Benefits of Wi-Fi Calling

Take a deep dive into the benefits of Wi-Fi Calling and see why is it so appreciated:

• Extended coverage: Whenever you’re in an area with a weak signal, Wi-Fi Calling can help you out a lot. You’ll be able to make calls from more places, even where the cell network doesn’t offer you coverage. 
• Money-saver: You know those jaw-dropping roaming charges, right? Wi-Fi Calling is a valuable companion whenever traveling, as it keeps your phone bills low and does not charge you anything extra. 
• Great call quality: As Wi-Fi Calling uses an internet connection to transmit the voice packets we discussed earlier, it has the ability to deliver great audio quality. If you already have a good broadband connection at home, Wi-Fi Calling can enhance your calling experience with great quality in every conversation. 
• Seamless helper: Wi-Fi Calling doesn’t need any additional apps to work and, with Tello, it comes free of any charge. 
• Uninterrupted transitions: A cool thing that Wi-Fi Calling does is that it can switch from the cell tower signal to the Wi-Fi one. The best signal will be chosen over the other one, in a seamless way. This can also happen in the middle of your call but you won’t even know it’s there. The transition kicks in automatically and the user experience stays the same. Cool, right?

How to & Setup

Rest assured, this part is easier than you think, only one toggle and some taps away.

To kick things off, you’ll need your compatible device and a good Wi-Fi network. The definition of a good Wi-Fi network? A stable and secure, password-protected network with a good connection. 

You’ll also need a carrier that allows you to use this feature. Tello ticks all the boxes, so we’re ready to start the setup! 

Go to your phone’s Settings in order to enable Wi-Fi Calling:

iOS team, you will need to follow these steps: Settings → Cellular/Phone → Wi-Fi Calling → Toggle on Wi-Fi Calling. 

Android team, here are yours: Settings → Networks & Internet → Mobile network → Advanced → Wi-Fi Calling → Toggle on Wi-Fi Calling. 

Another important thing you’ll have to take care of is setting up your E911 address. You’ll need to fill it in on your Tello account: My Tello » My Settings. The purpose of this is to ensure that emergency services have access to your address, so it is advised to always keep it updated. 

If any challenge comes across, we’ve got plenty of solutions. Keep reading! 

Using Wi-Fi Calling

There are three main reasons to use Wi-Fi Calling:

📶 Numero uno, whenever you’re in the US and losing signal or in weak-signal spots

There’s nothing extra you need to do in order to keep yourself connected. After activating Wi-Fi Calling on your phone, it will help you out whenever you have bad cellular reception or you are in a dead zone. Wi-Fi Calling is a great backup as long as Wi-Fi is available.

🌍 Reason number two: avoid any extra charges while traveling and use it as a “free roaming” option 

Wi-Fi Calling is your ideal (and free!) alternative to roaming, as it will help you out whenever you’re traveling and you have a good Wi-Fi network available. Also, you’ll need to check the country you’re traveling to so that there are no restrictions in terms of using Wi-Fi Calling.

There are countries where the ISP (Internet Service Provider) can block the traffic for Wi-Fi Calling. In this case, we suggest you contact the ISP.

Bonus points: You can even activate and use Tello from abroad, with the help of Wi-Fi Calling.

We’ve covered the topic right here if you want to learn more. 

🔑 And, number three, Wi-Fi Calling is a great helper if you need to receive One-Time Passwords (OTPs)

Wi-Fi Calling is your needed companion whenever you need to receive OTPs from banks and financial institutions, service providers, and other organizations or applications. Also, the same applies to Two-Factor Authentication or 2FA Services. You can receive these types of text messages if you have successfully set up Wi-Fi Calling & text. If Wi-Fi Calling & texting is working for you while abroad and you’re receiving SMSes as usual, there should be no problem for you to get texts from your bank for verification.

You can use Wi-Fi Calling with Tello if the following conditions are met:

✅ your device supports Wi-Fi Calling which the majority of Tello-compatible phones do.

✅ you have enabled Wi-Fi Calling on the device.

✅ you have registered an E911 address in your Tello online account (or through your phone Menu).

✅ the Wi-Fi network you are using allows Wi-Fi Calling. Obviously, this is not within Tello’s control or responsibility.

How does Wi-Fi Calling work with Tello?

Using Wi-Fi Calling comes at no extra cost, whether it’s for calls or minutes.

It’s simply taken from your existing plan balance or your Pay As You Go balance, whichever applies to the activity.

For example, if you receive any calls (no matter where from) or if you call the US or any of the 60+ included international destinations then the minutes of those calls will be deducted from your minutes’ plan balance.

Tello Troubleshooting Tips

If any hiccups come across during setting up or using Wi-Fi Calling, check the list below in order to solve it:

💡 Dropped calls or interrupted connection 

If this issue appears, there are a few things you’ll have to check.

Firstly, start by checking your Wi-Fi connection. Make sure the connection and signal strength are good. If possible, switch to a stronger network. Also, check your router and its placement to make sure everything is ok with it. 

Keep in mind that the internet connection can either suffer from overload or you can lose the connection at some point. So, make sure none of this happens in order for the call to work well. 

Now, back to your own device. Make sure your software is always up to date and you’re using the latest version, in order to have a good Wi-Fi Calling experience.

💡 Wi-Fi Calling not working or you’re not able to set it up

Firstly, make sure that you don’t have any device or network restrictions. Ensure your Wi-Fi connection works well and there’s no interruption or overload.

After that, make sure you follow correctly all of the steps. Also, don’t forget about setting up your E911 address. 

Moreover, on some routers, it is required to have the “IPsec passthrough” option enabled to allow the usage of Wi-Fi Calling over the local network. This applies in the case of monitored networks, such as office environments.

💡 Higher battery usage whenever abroad

Whenever you’re out of the country and you’re using Wi-Fi Calling, you might notice that your battery is lasting less than usual. What is happening right there is that, while abroad, your phone is continuously trying to find a network in any given country and that’s using a lot of battery.

So, you will have to select a local operator by following these steps: 

For iOS: Go to Settings > Mobile Data > eSIM selection -> Network selection -> Turn off Automatic -> Manually pick a local network (any).

For Android: Android: Settings – Connections – Mobile network – Network operators – Toggle OFF – Select operator

Oh, and don’t forget about our 24/7 Customer Support department and our awesome Reddit community, in case you need any help.