Calls/text Via Wifi In The Us & Internationally (read Post Update As Well)

[NYCNaiad]

Instead of relying on the cell phone network, WiFi calling/texting uses an available WiFi network to send calls/texts over the Internet...for FREE! You can even do video calls in some cases. This should already be included in the cost of your plan if you live in the US so no set-up fees either. This means you can call internationally from the US & vice versa (though there are some countries where's it's not available) with no international or roaming charges...or any additional fees.

Of course, it won't work if you're in an area with no WiFi or spotty WiFi. All major US cell phone carriers now support WiFi calling though some are just starting to roll this out across devices. It's not automatically enabled. You do have to turn it and HD voice on, but there's no downside. (Commonsense should of course tell you to double-check your particular plan.)

I am now using this for some of my calls in the US & I also intend to use it when I'm diving overseas though I'll have a back-up plan for when WiFi isn't working well. Note: There are some cases where there may be a 1 second delay in a conversation via WiFi...it depends upon a number of factors.

Here's the link to WiFi calling via Verizon (that's who I use). To find out if it's available on your phone, just search for "WiFi calling" or "Wi-Fi calling" with your wireless provider.

 

[kelemvor]

My understanding was that all the regular rates (e.g. international) still applied.

From the FAQ you linked:

How much does Wi-Fi Calling cost? The Wi-Fi Calling feature is available at no additional charge, as it is included in your existing monthly voice plan. Your Wi-Fi calls to US numbers, regardless of where you are located, are also free of charge (except for 411 and other premium calls). Wi-Fi calls to international numbers will be billed as "International Calling While in the US" (also known as International Long Distance). If an international rate plan exists on your account, the international calls will be billed at those rates. A Wi-Fi Calling icon will appear on your screen during the call to confirm that it is using Wi-Fi to connect it. If the call is using the Verizon or a roaming network, standard voice charges apply.

Emphasis mine. They don't charge extra for it, but you won't avoid international calling rates with the built in Wi-Fi calling feature. I believe the "to US numbers" assumes you are calling FROM the US. Might be worth calling them to find out before you get a surprise bill on a trip.

You may very well get better "reception" with wifi, though.

Might be worth a shot in Cozumel. When I was there, voice and data coverage were awful. However, wifi at most places (such as Hotel Cozumel) was so bad that skype and other voip services were almost unusable.

 

[NYCNaiad]

My understanding was that all the regular rates (e.g. international) still applied.

"The Wi-Fi Calling feature is available at no additional charge, as it is included in your existing monthly voice plan. Your Wi-Fi calls to US numbers, regardless of where you are located, are also free of charge (except for 411 and other premium calls). Wi-Fi calls to international numbers will be billed as "International Calling While in the US" (also known as International Long Distance)."

Might be worth a shot in Cozumel. When I was there, voice and data coverage were awful. However, wifi at most places (such as Hotel Cozumel) was so bad that skype and other voip services were almost unusable.

UPDATE: Kelemvor is right. I apparently missed that part of it and so did my brother who's also in IT. Jeez. I updated the title of the thread to remove the "free" part. Wish I could update my post as well.

It is still a useful tool when you're in an area that has crappy cell service. I've been in places where this has been true and Skype was having issues so it would have been very helpful. I also like using it here in the US for free and I will use it internationally as needed, but will keep an eye on it since there is a fee on the international calls.

 

[WarrenZ]

I am on Google FI for my cell phone and my phone calls default to WIFI if available and I have tried this several times while traveling. In Bahamas we had great internet and calls were recieved and made no problem. Mexico coverage was ok but if I walked out of Wifi range the call would cut out obviously. However when I was in Curacao I could use the free wifi in the hotel lobby at night however during the day when there was probably 30-60 people checking email and downloading porn I couldnt get through so I bought the 24 hour wifi code and got a connection with less traffic.

The weirdest part was we tried to have DAN call us on the hotel phone they couldnt get through and I tried to call DAN from the hotel phone with my credit card we couldnt get a line to the states it ended up being WIFI or nothing. Never thought I would want a sat phone at an AI Resort.

 

[emoreira]

It all depends on the service provider of the SIP softphone you are using in your Smartphone or tablet.
There is no special need to use the sip phone that your Mobile service provider offers.
For example, Skype softclient for smartphone and tablet can be used all over the world. There is a specific geographical anchorage for your number from where international rates are accounted, but, for example if you have a Skype PSTN number in the US, call to the US will be charged as local, no matter where you are in the world.
With softphones running in mobile devices, location is anecdotal, and a geographical anchorage is only needed to call to the PSTN, as PSTN rates are still geographical valued.
Every country has a VoIP SIP service provider, so, depending on your location you can call home at local rates no matter where you are.
Softphone SIP Clients are available for IOS and android devices.
Voice quality is 100 % dependent of WiFi service quality, so, congested hot spots like in airports, voice quality will be crap.