ATT extends WiFi calling internationally with iOS 9.3

I suppose you all got this text also. ATT extends wifi calling. When you are overseas, you can receive and call back to the states on a wifi network. To any number, not just a ATT phone.

It may still apply only to the iPhone? Requires the recent iOS 9.3

AT&T Free Msg: With the latest software update for your phone you can use Wi-Fi Calling when traveling outside the U.S. This means you can call back to the U.S. or receive incoming calls, with no airtime charges. When you call international numbers, your rates will be the same as those in your smartphone plan or your international package. For details visit att.com/wificalling


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My reading is that Android capability is 3 or 6 months off, for select devices.

For the iPhone, Apple had to write software changes to the native phone application. It also requires the iPhone to monitor the cell signal strength and allow wifi calling ONLY if the cell tower signal is below a set value. (Unless one is in Airplane mode, with wifi on).

So ATT allows something, and Apple rewrites some components. Given that iOS updates come direct from Apple, and consumers pretty much keep up to date (hence lack of fragmentation), it's an easier win.

Independent of Google's Android team, the manufacturers also control the updates over many devices, so there would be more device diversity and compatibility efforts on ATT's part.

I'm sure ATT ability or lack of it has a component, but it's a harder job to perform also.



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