WiFi Calling is coming to an iPhone near you

Following the successful launch of WiFi Calling on Android devices late last year, 2degrees is pleased to offer WiFi Calling on iPhones, starting immediately. This brings the total number of customers on 2degrees who can take advantage of WiFi Calling to over 350,000 and growing.

WiFi Calling allows customers who are outside mobile coverage areas to make calls and send and receive text messages over the WiFi connection, without missing a beat.

iPhone customers on 2degrees can initiate high-quality calls over WiFi using their own phone number when a strong cellular signal is unavailable.

Chief Marketing Officer Roy Ong says as New Zealand’s only mobile carrier offering WiFi Calling, 2degrees sees it as a major point of difference from the other carriers.

“Building materials can interfere with cellsite transmission resulting in patchy coverage inside your home or office and the nature of New Zealand’s topography means we will always have pockets where coverage doesn’t quite meet customer expectations. With WiFi Calling customers can continue calling and texting regardless of their mobile coverage.”

While 2degrees’ network covers 98.5% of places Kiwis live and work, and the huge level of investment in telecommunications infrastructure in New Zealand, all networks will have isolated coverage challenges, but Wifi Calling helps address that.

“It’s also ideal for customers roaming overseas who want to manage their phone bill. Using Wifi Calling means the customer can make calls using WiFi networks. It’s a safe, cost effective alternative for those on a budget as customers are charged as if they were in New Zealand.”

2degrees launched WiFi Calling on the Samsung S8 and S8+ phones and has now extended that to include the S9 and S9+, as well as iPhone 5s and all later iPhone models running the latest iOS 11.3 software.

“Customers don’t need to subscribe to any new service - they simply download the latest iPhone software update from Apple along with an update to Service Provider settings and Wifi Calling is automatically included. They then enable it whenever they want to use it in their Phone settings.”

ENDS

WiFi Calling works on iPhones from the 5S or later and on iOS 11.3 or above. Customers need only update their iPhones then turn on the feature in Settings.

In addition to the iPhone WiFi Calling works on the 2degrees network with these devices:

  • Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+
  • Samsung Galaxy A8 or A8+
  • Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro
  • Samsung Galaxy J5 Pro

Coming by the end of April 2018 are:

  • Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
  • Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro
  • Huawei P20

WiFi Calling details can be found by visiting: 2degrees.nz/wificalling

About 2degrees: 

Since launch in 2009, 2degrees has made a significant impact on the New Zealand telecommunications market. The company has built a nationwide network and lowered mobile costs for Kiwis. In early 2015 2degrees acquired internet service provider Snap to become a full service telecommunications provider. 2degrees has over 1,200 staff, 55 retail outlets and 98.5% mobile network coverage across the country which is complemented by ADSL, VDSL and UFB services.

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