Does the iPhone 5s have Wi-Fi calling?

nopes.

You can use Skype.

thats not what is meant by "wifi calling". Thats VoIP, even though both will use the wifi network.

Is there even a rumor that Apple is looking into adding this feature in a future IOS update? This is also preventing me from upgrading from my original Edge iPhone. I live in an area with no cell coverage, and having this ability on T-mobile's network would really help continuity of coverage. I really hate giving out my cell number then have to turn around and say I can't get calls when I'm at home

Rumors are just that. They can't be trusted to be true so we don't discuss them here.

BarbaraJ,

I'm in the dark ages. Can you tell me what true Wi-Fi calling is? I haven't got a clue.

Thanks

I can certainly understand why discussion of rumors is a ToS violation. But, would it be a ToS violation for someone in the know to explain here why UMA/wi-fi calling hasn't ALREADY been implemented on the iPhone? Every mobile carrier has signal strength issues somewhere. The technology for routing cell calls over wifi isn't rocket science. Maintaining another app and/or a seperate number just for placing/receiving calls via wi-fi when cell signal strength is an issue is a PITA.

It seems like a 'no-brainer' to me...so, obviously there must be something I'm overlooking. Is there something unique to the iPhone hardware/design and/or iOS software that makes this more difficult to impliment than it is on other mobile phone platforms?

Other than this head-scratcher, I've been extremely pleased with my iPhone 5 so far...& still coveting the 5s!!

my nokia from 2005 had wifi calling, so its not a technological issue per se. its more of a business decision or rather indecisions - businesses not seeing eye to eye.

yes i agree that all carriers should have the motivation to offer free wifi calling esp. since most smartphone plans now have unlimited calling. what exactly is the roadblock i do not know, but its definitely not technology.

T-Mobile is the only domestic (USA) cellphone provider to implement UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) Wifi Calling. Orange UK provides this feature in the UK.

Summarized, this technology allows for WiFi hotspots to act as a cell tower. In our case, once logged into a WiFi hotspot, we have full T-Mobile access, both for voice and data. This has worked for me, since I first moved to T-Mobile back when my late father's home in the hills had no cell coverage, but with WiFi I had full T-Mobile cellphone capabilities.

I now use this capability when I visit the Santa Cruz mountains on a bi-monthly basis and when I visit London on an annual basis. The added bonus in London, is that all voice calls and texts back to the USA are considered within my normal cell package with no roaming charges.

Initially T-Mobile phones had this UMA WiFi feature hard wired into their phones (such as Blackberry) and later Kineto Wireless developed an Android app (and has indicated to me that they have no interest in developing an iPhone app, for reasons discussed below).

Historically T-Mobile did not offer the iPhone until the iPhone 5 (although it did "support" earlier unlocked models). This had to due with data frequencies issues that are not related to this issue.

When T-Mobile offered their first iPhone, the iPhone 5 with iOS 6, they indicated that a future update to iOS was needed to implement UMA WiFi Calling; suggesting their support for this feature with the introduction of iOS 7.

After the introduction of iOS 7 did NOT include this feature, T-Mobile announced that Apple was blocking their implementation of this app; presumably because Apple wants to continue to build support for Facetime Audio and iMessage; two features which do NOT have the universality that UMA WiFi Calling offers (I can call and receive calls and text and receive texts from ANYBODY; not just Apple device users).

Suggestions of Skype, Facetime audio, etc. are just missing the point: I have a telephone number that everyone knows that they can use to reach me with voice and text. UMA WiFi Calling allows all of my friends, family and business associates to reach me no matter where I am around the world. NONE of these alternatives have 100% capability and ease of this feature.

I do use a workaround however, until Apple removes its block of the UMA WiFi app: I move the micro-SIM from my iPhone 5 (with an adapter) over to my original Blackberry Curve 6950 when travelling and get the best of both worlds. I continue to pay T-Mobile for repair insurance to replace this Blackberry as needed.

That being said, I should not have to go to the effort to move the SIM back and forth as needed (and extra expense); Apple needs to remove its block so we can use our iPhones 100% of the time; as I was promised when I purchased it in April 2013.

BarbaraJ:

Thank you for jumping back in here!

I remember that Apple blocked Skype's app for some time after the original iPhone was introduced and then finally relented.

The excuse at that time was that the carrier (AT&T)'s data network could not handle the extra traffic, since Skype allows for data calls as well as WiFi calls.

There are now other data-calling apps allowed as well, so I think the reason must be deeper than that!

Please report back your experiences with the Galaxy S5! Does that mean it will be your 2nd phone, or you will get it in lieu of an iPhone?

BarbaraJ wrote:

Hi, MichaelLAX-

Thanks for the information. I have gotten some additional info from a T-Mobile rep (by accident, I think). The reason Apple is not allowing Wi-Fi calling is that they lose revenue on it. When you use a Wi-Fi connection to access your carrier, they do not have to pay Apple for that usage, which they do if you use the regular over-the-air cell access. Now THAT makes perfect sense, knowing Apple as we all do!

That is pure, unadulterated bull.