topic EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio in Mobile Services

EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:47:48 GMT

I'm a Mobile Broadband customer, so my internet uses a SIM card. Do I need to do anything else to get WiFi Calling working on my phone?

I find that when I'm connected to my WiFi at home, the quality of sound is poor and the call drops frequently, even if I have 5 bars of WiFi signal and 50Mbps broadband.

If I use WiFi at a cafe or other public place, WiFi calling works perfectly. Just not at home. Done lots of resets etc., all the usual things, but no improvement.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

Chris_B — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 11:50:24 GMT

@MmmToast are you using an external antenna for your router ? If not, your router connection is going to be exactly the same as your mobile phone connection it’s a cellular connection. You’re gaining nothing by using WiFi calling. Is your router next to a window? Is it upstairs or downstairs?
You’ve got a cellular router and a cellular phone that both connect to the network in the same way.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 11:56:32 GMT

Yes, of course, (otherwise it wouldn't be a WiFi calling issue 😉 ). 9db directional antenna. 5 bars of signal through router. Mobile handsets only receive 1 bar of mobile signal indoors.

I should add that this has been working perfectly as a broadband connection for over 6 years. WiFi calling also used to work perfectly on same handsets, but developed problems a few months ago. Possibly related to android 13 upgrade.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

James_B — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:50:31 GMT

Hi @MmmToast,

Do your phones indicate they're connected to WiFi Calling during calls or are they hanging on to the mobile signal?

James

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

XRaySpeX — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:51:24 GMT

What has WiFi Calling on a phone got to do with mobile BB?

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:12:11 GMT

Well, that's what I'm trying to find out.

In simplistic terms, instead of using my sim card, I'm connecting via wifi to a router that has its own sim card. If there is anything re WiFi calling that's handled at a SIM / account level, that might be a thing worth exploring.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:33:23 GMT

@James_B Yes, the phone is showing the wifi calling icon

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

Leanne_T — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 16:47:13 GMT

Hi @MmmToast

If you get in touch with our technical support team, they can check everything is set up for you at our end for WiFi Calling and see if they can offer any further help 🙂

Leanne.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

bristolian — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 17:27:21 GMT

@MmmToast wrote:

In simplistic terms, instead of using my sim card, I'm connecting via wifi to a router that has its own sim card.

WiFi-calling refers to your phone making & receiving calls & text messages, using its own inbuilt SIM, over a wireless broadband connection rather than the mobile network.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

XRaySpeX — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 18:12:44 GMT

Oh, yes, of course! It's WiFi Calling on your phone via your mobile router.

The BB you find in cafes, etc are usually stronger & more reliable then what you get from a mobile router.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:40:01 GMT

@bristolian Mobile Broadband, not Mobile Network 😊. It's used in rural locations, it has a mains powered router which contains a SIM card.

My router is a B535 with an external antenna + SIM.

WiFi is achieved delivered via 5x Omada EAPs, including outdoor grade, hard wired with PoE injectors from a D-Link smart managed switch. Giving WiFi coverage of approximately 3 acres at a full 5 bars. However when testing, I switch this off to simplify the architecture and just hook to the B535.

@Leanne_T Thank you! I would, but because the entire nation is drooling over the new iphone, I can't get through on 150. I'm hoping there might be some ideas here.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

bristolian — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:54:41 GMT

Mobile broadband uses the same mobile network as a phone, it's only the UE (user equipment) that differs.

For WiFi-calling, you will effectively need two SIMs. One in your router to support the router > MNO connection, but a subscription in your phone to allow calls to be made & received.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 20:36:23 GMT

Thanks but I'm all good on the basics.

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 20:43:53 GMT

@Leanne_T Please can you change the thread title? My query has been split away from the original and now it doesn't make sense. Original for ref

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Services/EE-WiFi-Calling-All-you-need-to-know/td-p/1057637

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

Christopher_G — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 06:55:24 GMT

What would you like the title to be, @MmmToast?

Chris

Re: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio

MmmToast — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:46:11 GMT

Thanks @Christopher_G How about: EE WiFi Calling over 4GEE - calls dropping and poor audio.