No need for a strong signal to make a call

Smart is kicking off April by announcing they’ve managed to successfully test and make a voice call over WiFi through their network.

Made possibly with its technology partner Huawei Technologies Inc., the Voice over WiFi (VoWifi) is distinctly different from other voice calling apps that you already use. For one VoWifi does not need a seperate app to work, and uses your default contact list on your phone instead of the one on apps like Viber, Messenger, WeChat, etc.

As long as there’s a WiFi connection, you can make a call with VoWifi technology. The tech (while not available commercially on Smart’s network yet) is a great way to provide voice connectivity to users that are in areas that have weak cellular signals.

“With this breakthrough, we are leading the way to making more communication options available to our customers. We look forward to letting our customers make Wifi calls on PLDT Home and Smart Wifi soon,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering.

“This pioneering initiative is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s efforts to continuously improve and evolve our voice services,” Tamayo said.

“This is also part of PLDT and Smart’s strategy to use both our fixed and wireless networks to provide more converged products and deliver better service to our customers,” Tamayo added.

“Wifi Calling will greatly enhance and complement the current rollout we are doing,” said John Emil Buencamino, Center Head, Core Planning and Engineering for Smart. “Wifi Calling can help make customer experience in voice calls even better. The network is ready.”