Most Cell network carriers pride themselves on having a strong and reliable cell phone signal for calls. But there are times in between when cellular networks may be weak or not available. One of the options available is Wi-Fi calling. Thankfully, these days most cell network carriers do support Wi-Fi calling.
If you’re using the Consumer Cellular network and you want to know if the network supports Wi-Fi calling, this post is for you. You will learn all about Consumer Cellular Wi-Fi, how to enable Wi-Fi calling on your cell phone, pros and cons of Wi-Fi calling.
Does Consumer Cellular Support Wi-Fi Calling?
Yes. Consumer Cellular Wireless supports Wi-Fi calling for customers. To use the Consumer Cellular Wi-Fi, your phone must support Wi-Fi calling. The Wi-Fi calling feature is known as Voice Over LTE (VOLTE).
As long as your phone supports this feature, you can use the phone to make a Wi-Fi call on Consumer Cellular wireless. Also, you have to enable Wi-Fi calling on your phone. In short, if you have a Wi-Fi-capable device, and you’re using a Consumer Cellular line, you can make a Wi-Fi call.
The good thing about the Consumer Cellular Wi-Fi calling option is that the rates are affordable.
About Consumer Cellular?
Consumer Cellular is a wireless service provider that offers high data packages at an affordable price. Their services are mostly tailored towards seniors who have limited monthly data consumption. Regardless, they still have services for people with high monthly data consumption but at a slightly higher rate.
Consumer Cellular is a Virtual Mobile Network Operator that uses T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Both networks are GSM networks and have nationwide coverage. This means that you are sure of getting the Consumer Cellular signal in most locations in the United States.
The downside of using Consumer Cellular is that, if you use more than 20GB of data in a month, your data speed will be throttled. As mentioned earlier, their data plan is channeled to suit persons with low monthly data consumption.
How To Enable Consumer Cellular Wi-Fi Calling?
To enable the Consumer Cellular Wi-Fi calling feature on your phone, you have to activate Wi-Fi and connect to a wireless network. Follow the steps below to activate on both an iPhone and an Android Smartphone.
Activate Consumer Cellular Wi-Fi For iPhone Users
. Tap the ‘Settings’ icon on your phone’s Home screen.
. From the options, tap ‘Wi-Fi’, and toggle the slider to turn on Wi-Fi on your phone.
. Your phone will enter an auto search mode. It will search for and connect to an available Wi-Fi network.
Activate Consumer Cellular Wi-Fi For Android Users
. Tap the ‘Apps’ icon on your Home screen, and further tap the ‘Settings’ icon.
. From the options, tap ‘Wi-Fi’, and toggle the slider to turn on Wi-Fi on your phone.
. Your phone will enter an auto search mode. It will search for and connect to an available Wi-Fi network.
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
Wi-Fi callings mean placing or receiving calls via Wi-Fi signals instead of a cellular network. Most new Android and iPhones support Wi-Fi calls.
Pros of Wi-Fi Calling
These days, most people opt for Wi-Fi calling due to the following reasons:
a. Saves Money
Most people opt for Wi-Fi calling because it saves money especially if you are not subscribed to a call plan. It is less expensive to use Wi-Fi calling than paying for call minutes. Wi-Fi calls don’t attract added charges.
b. Better Alternative To Cellular Network
Although most cellular network carriers have a countless number of cell towers that provide cell signals in most locations. There are still instances where the cell signals are weak. For instance, if you’re in a location with plenty of trees, or inside a building with very thick walls that don’t allow signals to penetrate the walls. In those instances, the Wi-Fi calls can serve as a better alternative.
c. Saves Device Battery Life
Phones and devices have to use extra battery power to search for and sustain cell signals. This drains the battery quickly and does affect battery life in the long run. Wi-Fi calling saves battery and doesn’t affect battery life long-term.
d. No Need To Subscribe To Special Plans
With cell calling, you are required to subscribe to a special plan or package or added services. You don’t have to do any of those with Wi-Fi calling.
Cons of Wi-Fi Calling
a. Not Supported By All Phones
Although most newer phone models support Wi-Fi calling features, most older-model phones don’t. So, you have to make sure your phone supports the Wi-Fi calling feature before you opt for it as an alternative to cell calling.
b. Unreliable Signal
Most times, the Wi-Fi signals in public areas are not reliable. Others are weak and result in poor voice call quality.
c. Restrictions On International Calls
Not all carriers support Wi-Fi calls outside the United States. You have to confirm with your carrier to make sure they support Wi-Fi calls outside the country.