Sprint says Wi-Fi calling is coming to its iPhone users soon
Sprint Corp., playing a bit of catch-up to rival T-Mobile US Inc., said Wednesday it will launch Wi-Fi calling for its iPhone customers soon.
Wi-Fi calling uses wireless Internet connections, for example in homes and workplaces, to make calls on wireless phones, rather than relying on the wireless carrier’s network.
Sprint’s announcement said its Wi-Fi calling for iPhone users would require customers to install a software update “coming over the next week.” The service will work on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. Additional information about the software update is available online.
“Wi-Fi calling is like a major expansion of our network, allowing Sprint customers to get coverage anywhere they have Wi-Fi connectivity,” David Owens, senior vice president of product development for Sprint, said in the announcement. “Traditional wireless technology has some limitations in places like basements and high-rise office buildings. Wi-Fi expands our customers’ connectivity in a big way.”
T-Mobile has been promoting Wi-Fi coverage for calls and texts since launching its Un-Carrier 7.0 campaign in September 2014.
Sprint’s announcement emphasized the expansion of Wi-Fi in coffee shops, airports, restaurants, schools and elsewhere and added that using the connections would cost customers none of their wireless minutes or count against their data limits.
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This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Sprint says Wi-Fi calling is coming to its iPhone users soon."