Service will launch nationwide over the next few weeks as part of operator’s £2 billion investment over two years to introduce stronger indoor and outdoor coverage
Vodafone has launched nationwide WiFi Calling, enabling customers to make calls without the need of a mobile signal.
The mobile operator will roll out the service nationwide over the next few weeks. It will be available to any contract customer on its Red Bundle with a compatible handset, which the operator is yet to provide more detail on. There is no additional charge.
Vodafone WiFi Calling, which does not require navigation through a downloadable app, automatically connects like a normal call when a mobile signal is weak or non-existent.
It becomes the second operator after EE, which launched WiFi Calling in April, to enable the service app-free. Last month O2 said it was conducting WiFi Calling trials later this year, with a view of launching it mid-2016.
Vodafone UK consumer director Cindy Rose said WiFi Calling is “one of a series of future voice services we are launching for our customers over the next few months”.
The introduction of WiFi Calling follows the rollout of Vodafone’s nationwide provision of HD Voice technology, 4G+ (Carrier Aggregation) and the Vodafone Rural Open Sure Signal aimed at providing remote communities with mobile coverage for the first time.
It is also part of Vodafone UK’s £2 billion investment programme during 2014 and 2015 to bring stronger indoor and outdoor network coverage, and mobile internet to more communities and businesses.
This has seen Vodafone’s 4G network extend to 626 cities, towns and districts, as well as thousands of smaller communities, providing 70 per cent population coverage to date.