4G Calling - What is the Point?

[Paul608085]

With the recent introduction of 4G and WiFi calling and the discussions regarding these new features, I was wondering what the point of 4G calling is? I can see perfectly the reasoning behind WiFi calling - I myself live in an area of low to moderate mobile signal, but unfortunately this facility is not, (yet), available for my device.

But what is the point of 4G calling? Surely if you have a strong enough mobile signal to get 4G data then you will have at least enough signal for reliable "normal" mobile calls?

What am I missing? Or is this a marketing, "because it's there" feature?

Paul

[DanielS · Accepted solution]

Hi @Paul608085,

We detail more information about 4G calling at the following page:

Learn about 4G Calling

"4G Calling means that when you make or receive a phone call, your phone will stay on 4G so your internet doesn't slow down. That means you can use data at 4G speeds even when you're on a call. Sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how few mobile providers will let you do this."

Thanks

DanielS

[Zombie]

4g calling comes in handy for me, when I’m using my phone as a hotspot for my iPad, if I’m on the phone I can still have speedy 4g going to the iPad.

[Paul608085]

Ah, so does that mean that currently if I am on a mobile call, (assumed to be on 2G or 3G), and I need to look up something on the internet, I am web browsing at only 2G/3G speed?

That is not something that I have ever tried, but I can see now how the new feature could be useful.

Paul

[Dean007]

@Paul608085

As DanielS said you get to maintain the speed when surfing and on a call  but you need to be in a 4G coverage area. I’ll leave the coverage checker link below. 

You’ll also get access to band 20 which does increase coverage as it allows  a frequency band that wasn’t available to BT mobile before. 

4G Coverage Checker

[Paul608085]

Thanks to those who replied for explaining the benefits of this new feature to me, (even though I currently cannot use it).

Zombie's point about using his phone as a, (WiFi?), hotspot intrigued me - I thought that sharing of the data allowance, be it via USB, Bluetooth or WiFi was specifically prohibited by BT Mobile's Ts & Cs, (data allowance only to be used on the device in which the SIM card is fitted)?

I have been a BT Mobile customer since it started, (in 2014?), and I'm sure it was not allowed then. Am I wrong about this, or has the restriction since been removed and I missed it?

Paul

[Keith_Beddoe]

Tethering is now allowed.

[Paul608085]

Excellent, I didn't know that - Thanks Keith.

[Roadnight]

¿How many different signals do our phones receive?

Mobile phone 

Mobile Data e.g. 4G

WiFi

WiFi might be data, but WiFi is free and unlimited, and 4G data is not, but now we can get unlimited 4G calling as part of our plan.  (Now I have a 3Gb plan I have re-enabled mobile data for Google Maps and many apps that were causing me to run out of data ( I had only 250M)).

Here and now my phone is telling me I have BT WiFiCal, a weak mobile phone signal and good WiFi (from my BT hub on my desk). I think that where the phone signal is good, it says 4G. I have not seen it report "No signal" since I have changed to BT!

My weak mobile phone signal gave me poor phone reception (on EE) but now I get BT WiFiCal I get good phone reception, even where there is a bad mobile phone signal.

I had EE WiFiCal, but it did not work here - perhaps it only came in when the phone signal was even worse.

¿Is 4G broadcast at higher power? does the inverse square law apply the same way... or does it penetrate atmospheric conditions, buildings etc. better?

In the bottom of the valley here we do not get the best level of 4G signal, I think it is "good" rather than "excellent".

I had BT SmartTalk from EE, and did use it occasionally, but now the phone switches automatically from mobile phone signal to BT WiFiCal, I have uninstalled the SmartTalk App.

[Dean007]

@Roadnight

If Wi-fi calling has been enabled on your handset it I’ll route all calls over Wi-fi regardless of network coverage. This does not come from the data allowance with your plan

4G calling also known as VoLTE has slowly rolled our across EE. BT now have advantage of band 20 giving better coverage in areas. As EE who host BT Mobile add more mast and update then for 4G calling you should see an improved reception and seemless calling and switching between 4G calling and Wi-fi calling.