WiFi Calling
All you need to know to get the most out of WiFi Calling.
WiFi Calling helps you stay connected even if you have poor or no mobile coverage.
You can use it anytime that your phone has a WiFi connection. It’s a great option if you have poor mobile coverage or no coverage, but a WiFi connection is available. An example would be a motor camp with Portable WiFi or a remote farm or campground that has WiFi, but no mobile signal on your mobile phone.
WiFi Calling works the same way a regular cellular mobile call does using the dialling functions and address book on your phone. The difference is how the call is transmitted. WiFi Calling uses a WiFi connection to carry the call instead of the cell phone towers.
With WiFi Calling, your call can handover automatically between the WiFi and Cell towers while making a call.
Keep Connected
Stay in touch with your friends and family from remote locations. All you need is a WiFi connection.
Back-up Connectivity
WiFi Calling helps you stay connected even if you have poor mobile coverage.
No App Required
No need to install third-party apps to use WiFi Calling. Check if you have a compatible mobile phone in our device list in the FAQs below.
No Extra Cost
If you already have a Wireless Nation mobile phone plan, there is no additional cost to use WiFi Calling.
Convenient
It’s just like making a regular phone call. Make and receive calls the same way you currently do.
Make Calls on Flight Mode
You can use WiFi Calling while on Flight Mode if you’re connected to WiFi.
- Wireless Nation WiFi Calling is currently only available for voice calling within New Zealand.
- You can make local calls within New Zealand
- You can make calls from New Zealand to overseas (usual charges for overseas calls apply)
However, if you’re currently located overseas or if you’re using a VPN Service in NZ, you may not be able to use Wireless Nation WiFi Calling.
How to activate WiFi Calling
WiFi Calling is off by default built-in on modern mobile phones.
To use WiFi calling you can toggle the feature in your device settings. NB: steps may differ slightly depending on the software version on your phone.
Apple Phones
- Go to your Settings.
- Select Mobile settings. Depending on your phone, you may also find the setting under Mobile Data or Phone settings.
- Set Wi-Fi Calling to On.
- If you get a message asking ‘Enable Wi-Fi Calling?’ select Enable.
Samsung Phones
- Go to Phone settings.
- Select Connections.
- Connect WiFi calling.
- Select ‘Mobile Network preferred or ‘Wi-Fi preferred (Will default Mobile Network Preferred).
Note: On a Samsung phone, you can see when WiFi Calling is activated when a small icon of a phone with radio waves pops up in the notification bar at the top of the screen.
OPPO Phones
- Go to your Settings.
- Select Mobile Network.
- Choose Select SIM.
- Select WiFi Calling.
Nokia Phones
- Go to your Settings.
- Select Network and Internet.
- Select Mobile Network.
- Select Advanced.
- Select WiFi Calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of connection is needed for WiFi Calling?
WiFi Calling generally uses around 100-120 kbps bandwidth. This is only a small percentage of total bandwidth. However, if there are household members simultaneously streaming or downloading big files on the WiFi connection, then it may result in a slight loss of voice quality on your call.
WiFi hotspots or workplaces may not allow access to WiFi Calling, for example, hotels or corporate hotspots.
How is the voice quality on a WiFi call?
As Wireless Nation may not have control over the WiFi connection the mobile device is using, we cannot guarantee the quality of the WiFi call. For e.g, your mobile might be connected to a Cafe WiFi with poor signal quality or congestion.
The strength of the wireless signal within a building, or simultaneous activities using the connection, can impact the voice experience.
We recommend you use Wireless Nation Portable WiFi so we can assist you better if there is a call quality issue.
What determines if my calls are made from WiFi Calling?
If you’ve turned on WiFi Calling on your device, your phone will try to use mobile network coverage first, even if you have WiFi Calling available.
If the network detects poor or no mobile coverage and there is a WiFi connection available, the call will be transmitted by WiFi Calling. Some devices will give you the option to select a preferred option.
When WiFi calling is enabled on your mobile phone, the device will be set to prefer using the mobile network by default.
Can I use WiFi Calling to call emergency services?
Yes, but when making an emergency call in NZ, mobile is always preferred.
This includes using other mobile provider networks in NZ to transmit the call. If there is no coverage, emergency calls can be made by using WiFi Calling.
Calling Emergency Services from overseas is not available, and any 111 calls attempted from overseas will not connect.
If you are using WiFi calling in an area without mobile coverage, you won’t receive any Civil Defence mobile alerts.
In the event there is no mobile coverage, WiFi calling is enabled by a Fixed or Portable WiFi connection. If there is a power cut affecting the WiFi connection that is being used, then WiFi calling will not work.
Will I receive Emergency Mobile Alerts?
If you’re using WiFi Calling in an area without Spark mobile coverage, you won’t receive any Civil Defence emergency mobile alerts.
If you’re using WiFi Calling and your phone has Spark mobile coverage, you’ll receive these alerts as usual.
Will WiFi Calling still work in a power cut?
WiFi Calling is enabled by a Fixed or Portable WiFi connection. If there is a power cut affecting the modem or WiFi source used for your WiFi Calling, then WiFi Calling will not work.
How will I know if WiFi Calling is being used?
A ‘Spark NZ WiFi Calling’ or ‘Digital Island WiFi Calling’ icon will likely appear at the top of your screen when the call is active.
Not all device types will display a WiFi call icon. Or you can check your phone’s mobile settings to confirm if WiFi calling is enabled.
If you move between a WiFi connection and a cellular connection during the call, your call will continue. You may not always know if you are using cellular or WiFi calling.
Can I use WiFi Calling on any WiFi network?
In general, you’re able to use WiFi Calling when you have a compatible device and a WiFi Connection.
There are some factors where WiFi Calling may not be supported on the WiFi network you’re connected to, such as:
- Some internet providers either in NZ or overseas may block WiFi calling.
- Enterprise or public WiFi connections may not be configured to let you use WiFi Calling.
- Some networks may be set up with specific firewall settings that block WiFi Calling.
- Wireless Nation WiFi calling is not available in overseas locations.
How much WiFi data will I use?
WiFi Calling uses approximately 1-5MB /minute (0.001-0.005GB) of data for a standard voice call, which is a small amount.
Can I make and receive calls over WiFi Calling using my eSIM?
Yes, if you’re using eSIM and have enabled WiFi Calling on your phone settings, you’ll be able to make and receive calls over a Fixed Broadband connection.
If you have a dual SIM you’ll need to check the settings for your primary or secondary number, depending on the connection you’re wanting to use for WiFi Calling.
Can I use call features during an active WiFi call?
Calling features available on 4G (a.k.a VoLTE) calling can be used if you have WiFi calling enabled.
In some instances, you’ll need to change back to cellular functions to change some of your settings, eg. call forwarding and voicemail.
Devices that can use Wireless Nation WiFi Calling as of 2 Feb 2023
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Device |
Model |
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Samsung |
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Apple |
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Nokia |
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OPPO |
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