What is wifi on a cell phone

The phone can take advantage WiFi networks when they are available and can use the cellular network the rest of the time. WiFi phones have a lot of potential, but right now they're not for everyone. Someone who has a cell phone and needs a phone line to support their DSL connection doesn't necessarily need yet another phone.

Anyone who lives in an area with little WiFi availability might not find many places to use a WiFi phone. People who don't have a network of friends using the same VoIP service may find it cheaper to use a land line or cell phone.

But as more cities develop city-wide WiFi networks , WiFi phones will become more practical and useful. What currently seems like a novelty or a toy could become a replacement for a land line, a cell phone or both. It could happen pretty quickly -- the WiFi phone market increased by 76 percent in , and researchers believe it will double in [Source: Infonetics Research ].

WiFi phones are already useful on a smaller scale in businesses and schools. Students who live on college campuses that have extensive WiFi networks can also use WiFi phones to make calls for little to no money.

Users have also reported some quirks in newly-released phones that make using them a little tricky. For example, some phones reset every time the user moves to a new wireless network or every time an administrator makes a change to an existing network.

Some WiFi hotspots require a Web browser to sign in. Phones without a built-in browser are useless in these locations. Even though VoIP doesn't use a lot of bandwidth , other uses for public and corporate WiFi networks do. Sharing bandwidth with a lot of other traffic can result in poor voice quality or lost signals. Fortunately, quality-of-service requirements can be built in to new WiFi networks.

With the right hardware and software, a hotspot can separate and prioritize the voice traffic, treating it as a separate signal and providing better voice quality. While they're currently more like toys than tools, WiFi phones will probably become a lot more popular as WiFi networks spread.

For more information on WiFi, telephones, cell phones and related technology, see the links on the next page. VoIP services don't always support emergency phone calls. In the United States, some VoIP customers can dial , but the system can't transmit the caller's location to the dispatcher.

Other providers transmit the address and phone number that are on file, which won't help the dispatcher if the person is traveling. There's currently no way for the dispatcher to determine the precise location of a person who places a call through a wireless network. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe.

How WiFi Phones Work. WIFI phones are great to save on monthly data charges. Here's what would happen: Advertisement. You pick up the receiver, which sends a signal to the ATA. The ATA receives the signal and sends a dial tone to let you know that you have a connection to the Internet. You dial the phone number. The ATA converts the tones into digital data. Your computer sends the data to the VoIP company's call processor.

The call processor maps the phone number by translating it to an IP address. A specialized mapping program called a soft switch connects your ATA to your friend's. It sends a signal to your friend's ATA, telling it to ring. Your friend picks up the phone, establishing a session between your computers. Each system knows to expect packets from the other.

The system converts your voices into packets of binary data. The normal Internet infrastructure treats the just like it would for an e-mail message or a Web page. Wi-Fi has a limited range, cellular data does not. Use your data plan for a secure connection. The Future is 5G. Know the difference. This content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice.

Verizon is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content. Top Device Brands. Samsung Apple Motorola Google Amazon. About Verizon. Most Popular. It's is a great solution to achieve high-quality calls indoors. As companies shift their staff to work remotely, you'll likely get acquainted with Wi-Fi calling and its limitations.

The best part is that if you have strong Wi-Fi network coverage, you can communicate with your team using HD Voice over a cloud phone system. Unlike cellular service, HD Voice has much higher quality sound and clarity—a must for any team. If you have a high-speed broadband connection, odds are that you also have a router capable of providing this wireless coverage.

Typically, a wireless router offers approximately feet of range from its location, depending on building materials and other factors. Wi-Fi calling gives you the chance to make phone calls using a wireless internet connection. Thinking through business continuity , it's important to have a backup connection. If your company's network connection fails, you need to be able to conduct business over an LTE-based cellular connection. Wi-Fi calling takes place over both when configured correctly.

One of the trends we discovered in the Business Communication Report is the positive attitudes around remote work. Current events have also accelerated this shift to empowering employees to work away from the office.

Nearly four out of ten companies now have their teams working remotely. It works by reaching a carrier over the internet connection to establish a phone line. There's a lot of happening under the hood to make this possible, but to you, it's practically effortless. With today's capable devices, you don't have to do much to achieve a strong network connection.

You can select the right rate plan and phone number that works for your business. It's also a great way to skip paying your cellular company high international rates. With modern advances in wireless routers, you leverage them for reliable network connections without any dropped calls. Traditionally, phone calls made using a cellular connection come from your monthly allowance. The Wi-Fi calling feature is similar. It's a fantastic option for employees that telecommute. You won't pay sky-high international calling rates for making cross-border calls.

Just for perspective, more than million voice calls are made on WhatsApp every day. The best part? Cisco predicts that by , there will be million wireless network hotspots all over the world that support Wi-Fi calls. With cloud phone services like Nextiva people can call as much as they want across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. And when it's time to call abroad, they can call around the world for as low as a penny per minute.

Ready to make your first Wi-Fi call? You no longer need old-fashioned apps like Skype. However, some Apple devices automatically use Wi-Fi connections. Users connect to the internet to send and receive text messages rather than cellular data. These messages still come from your U.