Calls on other devices ending?

[Plymouthbloke1]

Hi,

Recieved this earlier via text:

Hi,

We wanted to let you know that, from 09 December, you'll no longer be able to use your EE shared number service on MacBooks and iPads.

Watch functionality, along with the Apple-provided iCloud number-sharing function, won’t be affected.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this update.

I’m assuming this is the “Calls on other devices” feature? That’s really annoying as both an iPad and MacBook user. A really good and unique feature (I don’t think other networks offer this) being binned. Bravo EE, well done 👏 🙄

[constantind]

Hi everyone,

Another message came through today:

Hi Constantin,

We wanted to let you know that, from 09 December, you will no longer be able to use your EE Shared Number (also known as EE Smart Number) service on your iCloud-connected devices.

This means that you won’t be able to extend your EE phone number to Connected Devices, such as MacBooks and iPads. iCloud Calling and Watch functionality won’t be affected.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this update.

[Mattyuk1169]

Absolutely the only reason I stayed with and even with 20% discount for an NHS gonna jump ship somewhere cheaper always liked o2

[jwas3000]

This is most odd. Does it mean it will work on Mac Mini, Pro, Studio and iMac or more likely they just dont know what they are doing or texting…

[Colstalex]

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@jwas3000 wrote:

This is most odd. Does it mean it will work on Mac Mini, Pro, Studio and iMac or more likely they just dont know what they are doing or texting…

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I think they were just thinking about portable devices. I do think it has been badly communicated causing a lot of confusion. Apparently they are stopping it as hardly anyone uses it a the number of calls made on it has been decreasing for years. It is not that much different from the iCloud call/SMS forwarding except your phone has to be on and on the same wifi network for the latter.

[esimreplacement]

Just to clarify, this will affect all Apple devices (apart from Apple Watch, but that uses eSIM with shared number, rather than “Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices”, or iCloud Wi-fi calling, which is what EE will stop supporting on December 9).

I am sure many users found this really useful for situations where you might not have access to your phone for whatever reason, or in situations where your phone has run out of battery. This also allowed you to make/receive calls whilst being connected to VPN (which I’ve had mixed results with when using normal Wi-Fi calling on my work phone with Vodafone). 

EE was the only operator in not only the UK, but the whole of Europe, which supported “Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices”, so it is a shame that they are dropping this on such short notice without providing any explanation. I assume there must have been some type of license fee which EE has been paying to Apple for maintaining the service, which EE (BT) no longer wants to pay. 

[keremakyuz]

I don't believe EE is paying any fees to Apple, but rather fees to maintain the backend systems (like an entitlement server). In any case, it's bad PR for an incumbent operator.

[lookingsideways]

Really disappointing. That feature was a lifeline when I lost my phone; being able to still make calls and receive txt message auth codes in order to sort out insurance etc was incredibly valuable and one of the reasons I stayed with EE recently when starting a new contract.

The communication has been terrible too, the text messages weren't clear at all what service was being stopped making it sound like even the more basic calls from other devices on the same wi-fi network was being ended.

[domi40]

I was told by EE that it's Apple that's dropping the feature, whether that's true or not, I don't know...

[domi40]

The advisor you spoke to hasn't got a clue and this service has nothing to do with your Apple Watch, it's about being able to receive calls on other devises, even if your iPhone is somewhere else or switched off, as long as you're on a wi-fi network with your device

[Eeisuselessaf]

I got the text and I have an iPhone 15 on one of their smart plans. I pay around £90 a month, so it’s one of the top end plans.