What is WiFi Calling?
WiFi Calling is set to eliminate those in-building mobile phone dead zones, but is your wireless network ready?
Even in cellular 4G hot zones like central London, mobile phone coverage in buildings can often be poor to non-existent, so WiFi Calling allows you to make and receive calls on your smart phone over your wireless network. The following mobile operators are already making use of this feature:
- O2 have a Smart Phone app called TuGo
- EE, as you have seen advertised by Kevin Bacon on the Tube, have enable smartphones to automatically use WiFi for calls.
- Three also have the ability to make calls over WiFi.
I'm sure Vodafone will follow suit. It won’t be long until this becomes another standard feature. Great news for frustrated users, but bad news for poorly designed and implemented wireless networks.
Is your wireless network ready?
There are four key areas you need to address:
- Users expect their phones to work everywhere in your building, except lifts, so you need to plan your wireless network to cover not only office space, but also stairwells and lobbies.
- Quality of Service – make sure your wired and wireless network is set to prioritise voice traffic.
- Density – make sure you plan your wireless network to ensure it will cope with the ever increasing number of devices.
- Roaming – use a wireless solution that puts the network in control of client hand-off, eliminating sticky clients, call disconnects and poor call quality.
To find out more contact me.