Connecting the world through communication has evolved in many ways. As time progresses, people have created more efficient systems to improve communication. With technological advancements, VoWi-Fi’s inception is one significant leap forward in this evolution. In this article, we’ll discuss what VoWi-Fi is and how it revolutionized communications.
What is VoWi-Fi (Wi-Fi based VoIP)?
VoWi-Fi or Wi-Fi Calling, is a communication technology that enables users to send and receive calls and text messages through Wi-Fi networks. It is an IMS-based technology that uses the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) framework to initiate communications. IMS is a network architecture that allows the exchange of multimedia services over an IP network. This makes VoWi-Fi a competitive alternative to voice calling and text messaging through cellular networks.
How does VoWi-Fi work?
This following describes the steps in making the exchange of calls and text messages possible over Wi-Fi networks. We’ll use a phone call as an example to demonstrate the whole process.
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Initiating the phone call
This process involves picking up your phone and using the dialer app to key in the contact information of the party you’re trying to reach. If your device is VoWi-Fi enabled, it will check for the availability of a strong Wi-Fi connection.
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Handoff to IMS
If your VoWi-Fi-enabled device detects a strong Wi-Fi connection, it will use the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) framework to contact your carrier’s network. IMS is a centralized architecture that acts as a hub for managing voice and other multimedia services.
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Call setup
The following process involves the IMS checking your identity and call permissions. Call permissions refer to the capability of the caller’s device to initiate VoWi-Fi calls and ensure the caller’s plan includes VoWi-Fi calling and that Wi-Fi calling is enabled on the caller’s device. The IMS then negotiates the call with the recipient’s network using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). SIP establishes the connection and specifies how the voice data will be transmitted, in this case, through Wi-Fi.
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Voice transmission
Once the connection is established, the caller can start to speak. The voice from the caller is then converted into digital packets and transmitted over Wi-Fi. When these digital packets reach the recipient, their device converts them into audible voice data that plays through the device’s speakers.
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Call management and termination
During the call, the IMS ensures smooth communication between parties by managing the connection and handling issues such as dropped packets and signal fluctuations. If any of the parties ends the call, the device that initiated the termination sends a disconnect signal to the IMS, and the call session is released.
What are the benefits of VoWi-Fi?
VoWi-Fi has become a proponent of effective communication in the digital era. Here are some advantages of VoWi-Fi that many benefited from.
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Better call quality:
People have suffered from hearing muffled voices during phone calls, which can make communication inefficient. VoWi-Fi solves this issue by providing clearer sound quality as long as the Wi-Fi connection is stable. Wi-Fi connections are also known for their reliability in transmitting data, more so than cellular network connections.
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Extended coverage:
Cellular coverage is limited or sometimes poor in some places. VoWi-Fi alleviates the problem by offering a more reliable connection. This advantage is observed in areas where cellular signals can’t pass through easily, such as places with thick walls, tall buildings, rural areas, and anywhere with spotty cellular coverage.
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Cost saving:
There are carriers that include Wi-Fi calling as part of a plan bundle, ensuring that subscribers are not charged for making calls through Wi-Fi networks. This promotes cost savings, especially when making international calls that are rather expensive if made through cellular networks and roaming.
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Reduced network strain:
VoWi-Fi frees up network strain put on cellular networks through traffic offloading. This helps improve cellular communications for others, such as critical services, by reducing signal drops, less congestion, and faster data transmission over cellular networks.
What are some limitations of VoWi-Fi?
While VoWi-Fi brings significant advantages for many, it also has its limitations. Here are some of them:
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Wi-Fi dependence
As the name suggests, Wi-Fi calling is solely dependent on Wi-Fi connections. This means initiating communications through VoWi-Fi would need a strong Wi-Fi signal to function effectively. This is a disadvantage for those not receiving adequate Wi-Fi speeds to maintain a stable connection.
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Carrier-limited
There are cellular carriers that don’t offer VoWi-Fi, and there are those that do, but they are limited to certain subscription plans that some may not afford.
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Device compatibility
Not all devices are VoWi-Fi ready. This may be limited to those who don’t have the latest phone models due to financial restraints or even to those who just choose to use devices like dumbphones with basic capabilities.
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Emergency services
Users may need to check if their cellular carriers offer emergency calling through VoWi-Fi. There are cellular carriers that don’t have this service, making it restrictive for some who may potentially need to make communications to emergency services for critical concerns.
VoWi-Fi as a modern medium of communication
VoWi-Fi has undeniably changed the game in the world of communications. It allowed people and organizations to transmit data more efficiently through voice calling and text messaging than cellular networks. VoWi-Fi has provided many benefits to its users that make connecting to one another better and more effective than ever before. While VoWi-Fi may have some limitations, this technology is still a groundbreaking technological advancement that paved the way for seamless communications.
