Technical explanation for Wifi-Calling required

[cjonline]

I asked EE tech support to explain how Wi-Fi calling works, and was not convinced with his explanation.

My understanding was that the calls over wifi-calling are routed approximately like this:

Caller's phone > Wi-Fi connection to home router > Router's connection to the internet > EE's Wifi-calling server > then either over the regular carrier's network to the recipient OR through the internet if the recipient is also using Wifi-Calling at that moment.

I was told that Wi-Fi calling just "improves the signal" (!!)  I was told it doesn't go directly to a server at EE.  I explained that my local cell/mast is undergoing maintenance due to a fault, and my phone is using wifi-calling, yet the quality is still choppy.  I understand I need to ensure good connectivity with my home wifi (distance from router, signal strength, uncongested channel etc), but I was told it just boosts "the signal"?!  

So I turned to ChatGPT and asked it to explain highly technically what happens during a wifi-calling call...

I asked ChatGPT, and it explained it very well.

Indeed, it confirmed what I thought - that the voice data is sent in packets over the internet directly to EE's wifi-calling server (and bypasses masts/cell towers in my neighbourhood).

I found that EE's DNS name for its wifi-calling server is epdg.epc.mnc030.mcc234.pub.3gppnetwork.org

Is that right?

Why is it so hard for EE to explain how Wi-Fi-calling works - especially by someone in "Technical Support"?

I asked ChatGPT to explain the end-to-end process in simple terms, and it came up with the following. EE should be able to explain this, too.

"WiFi calling allows your phone to make calls over WiFi, even when cellular signal is weak or absent. Here's how it works: Your phone sends your voice data as packets over the WiFi network. These packets travel through your WiFi router, the internet, and your carrier's server. If the recipient is also on WiFi calling, the voice data goes directly to their device. Otherwise, it seamlessly switches to the cellular network for a standard call."

[Northerner]

Hi @cjonline 

That is why the service is prefered as it goes via the internet NSA/CIA/SIS data servers/centers where they monitor conversation using AI key word identifiers. Why do you think the service was introduced in the first place. 

I dont see why the technical team at EE would need to know how the service works on a granular level with IP addresses etc. 

[bristolian]

Mobile networks consist of access layers and core layers - the access layer is called because it is what enables devices to "access" services. WiFi-calling provides an alternative access layer, but connects to the same central-IMS platform as VoLTE calls which use the mobile access layer.

Mobile-mobile calls are routed Device > Access > Core > Access > Device. It is only the core network which cares about which access element is in use at each end. And yes, CS have no need to understand the network architecture to the degree you're querying - the vast majority of customers just want their phones to work, and the CS processes are aligned to this.