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This distinction is important because when people refer to VoIP, they are typically referring to a standalone application or platform that requires installation-such as the consumer and business applications mentioned above. The accessibility, cost-effectiveness and reliability of VoIP spurred telecommunication carriers into action: Carriers used VoIP technology to develop this new competitive feature called “Wi-Fi calling” that would work automatically on a user’s smartphone when they were using a wireless network. For businesses, a few major VoIP platforms include RingCentral, Vonage, Avaya and Ooma. Popular platforms and mobile applications that run on VoIP include Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger and Google Meet.
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VoIP sounds incredibly technical, but you’ve probably used this technology on multiple occasions, both as a consumer and in the workplace. Although Wi-Fi calling may seem like a fancy new feature, the technology that powers it has been around for years and is known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). In fact, if you’ve ever made a call while your device was connected to a network, you’ve probably already used Wi-Fi calling. In the past few years, the “Wi-Fi calling” setting has been made more prominent on mobile devices. VoIP and Wi-Fi Calling: What’s the Difference? In these scenarios, Wi-Fi calling can be a great alternative for when your smartphone is connected to a wireless network. We’ve all experienced at least one time where our phone provider’s coverage was spotty. With Wi-Fi calling, the call is routed to a Wi-Fi network instead of your phone service provider’s network.
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The difference between Wi-Fi calling and regular phone calls happens behind the scenes. You can use all of the same features you’re used to, like three-way calling and speakerphone, as you would with any other phone call. On Dialpad's Website What Is Wi-Fi Calling?įrom a user experience perspective, Wi-Fi calling behaves just like a regular phone call-you dial a phone number as you normally would.
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