topic Why no voice over WiFi preference? in Mobile Network discussions

Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 05:57:43 GMT

Why does EE not offer customers the choice of whether to set their sim card network access to prefer VO-WiFi calling instead of VO-LTE, as other networks rightly do?

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

Chris_B — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:08:09 GMT

@P1pp5 On what device? I know iPhones will use WiFi calling over cellular even when there is perfect cellular connection. Like right now on my device

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:24:29 GMT

u probably need to do some basic research before jumping into this one. You seem to only be aware of your own limited perspective and have entirely missed the point of this question.

On all devices, iPhone or Android, regardless of age, EE forces its customers' network connection to always automatically prefer VO-LTE over VO-WIFI. Why?

It is common for customers to live in areas which have poor 4G service, but of course excellent home WiFi. Yet EE forces all customers connections to nonetheless prefer a poor LTE service over good WiFi. Why?

Why not offer customers the option? Other networks do. On both iPhone and Android devices of all ages, other networks provide a specific sim settings menu option giving customers the choice of which secondary calling connectivity their network connection should prefer. Why don't EE?

I am aware of the highly specious claims that automatically preferring VO-LTE gives potentially better calling reliability sometimes in shopping centres and hotels. But what about in my home, where I work every day, and make 99% of my calls? Why wrongly assume that all of my calls will always be made on high traffic public networks? Why not give me the choice?

If the answer is because EE simply does not care about its customers, or ignorantly thinks it knows better, then fine. I will take my multiple business accounts elsewhere.

Chris, if you are still struggling to grasp what I am referring to then do some research first before responding again.

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

Christopher_G — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:42:27 GMT

Hi @P1pp5

Welcome to the community.

What kind of problem is this causing for you? Are you having problems with your calls? If you put your phone into 'airplane mode' does it function the way that you want it to, making calls only over WiFi?

Chris

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:54:11 GMT

Yes, in airplane mode with WiFi re-enabled, my WiFi calling of course works perfectly. As it should do if I was not forced to take these convoluted steps every time I want to make or receive a tolerable phone call.

The problem is that it is impossible to make or receive phone calls when EE illogically and unreasonably prioritises an unusably weak 4G LTE signal over a 100% perfect 10Mbps broadband WiFi signal.

When the near total absence of 4G reception in my neighbourhood is pointed out to the clueless EE call centre staff, they just pretend to consult their coverage checker and then claim it should be great.

Yet EE's wilful self-delusion about the reality of 4G in this country would not be of any concern to me if I was simply given the choice as to whether my calling preference is VO-WiFi over weak VO-LTE.

As an EE customer forced to suffer these unreasonable conditions, every call that I make and receive constantly drops and is >50% unworkable for its duration.

Other networks do not have this problem, because they give their customers the choice to automatically let their sim card prefer VO-WiFi over VO-LTE.

Why don't EE?

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

bristolian — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:06:10 GMT

One of your previous posts alluded to the underlying reason for EE's decision here - that the mobile network is considered more reliable and to offer a better experience than relying on public WiFi-networks over which EE have no control. Performance metrics do bear this out.

However, to say that no EE phones have this choice is incorrect - here is a screenshot of my Android device, offering the choice that you assert is not available.

WiFi-calling options within "call settings" menu

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:01:11 GMT

Why does your sim card have this option yet my six month old EE business sim card does not?

Why is it when I ask EE technical support about this option they repeatedly deny it exists?

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

bristolian — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:14:57 GMT

A SIM is neither business nor personal - that's a billing flag and a SIM can easily move from personal to business account & vice-versa.

I understand the menu option to be software-driven rather than SIM. If your device doesn't have this option, then using the flight-mode workaround may an alternative.

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

Chris_B — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:24:39 GMT

@P1pp5 So my device is using Wi-Fi calling over cellular. That’s exactly what you saying you’d prefer it to do, voice over Wi-Fi as opposed to over the cellular network and my image illustrates that fact that even with a perfect cellular signal I am using voice over Wi-Fi. Perhaps you didn’t look at it carefully.

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:27:36 GMT

My device has the option with an O2 sim card.

Why would it not have the option with an EE sim card?

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 18:54:59 GMT

@bristolian - Your understanding that the option for WiFi calling is somehow software driven is incorrect.

O2 only offers it on pay monthly accounts and not on PAYG. When I insert an O2 PAYG sim card into my device, I do not have the option. When I then immediately insert an O2 pay monthly sim card into my device, the option immediately appears.

Clearly, having the option to select a voice over WiFi preference is an entirely carrier determined option which has nothing whatsoever to do with the device.

So why does EE not offer this option?

And why do EE staff deny it exists?

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

bristolian — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 19:47:06 GMT

@P1pp5 wrote:

So why does EE not offer this option?

My previous post, evidenced with a screenshot, clearly disproves this. Some phones have this option, others don't - so there is an element of software control here.

CS are generally geared towards support of common queries, and the vast majority of customers likely have no need for this facility beyond simply enabling WiFi-calling.

I will only respond based on my expertise, and cannot add anything further.

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

Mustrum — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 20:12:38 GMT

Just to add my 2p worth, my O2 pay monthly sim does not offer the choice in my iPhone 14.

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 20:19:53 GMT

Sounds like you and the defensive EE community is simply doubling down on your self delusion and denial.

Good to know.

Re: Why no voice over WiFi preference?

P1pp5 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 20:22:52 GMT

I am holding an iPhone 14 in my hands right now which contains an O2 pay monthly sim card that is providing this option for WiFi calling preference. So your 2p is highly questionable and frankly not believable.