Wi-Fi Calling Service is Terrible

[SpringTx]

Wi-Fi calling is enabled on my phone, but it works poorly. I suspect the problem is that the phone prefers to use the cell network, even when the signal is low. In my house, the signal drifts from  0 to 2 bars - it drifts this much even if I'm standing still. 

T-Mobile's Wi-Fi calling service provides the options "Wifi preferred" and "wifi only"  When I was with T-Mobile, I always had it set to wifi-preferred, and the service was excellent. Can Verizon PLEASE provide something similar?

(I live in a fringe area for Verizon service, so please don't repeat the mantra that Verizon has the best network in the universe.  Like every other carrier, quality of service is dependent on where you are relative to the towers. Wi-Fi calling is my only hope for adequate service at home.)

[vzw_customer_support]

SpringTx,

I love that you are utilizing all the features and benefits f your device. WiFi calling is an amazing feature, let’s look into this. Your device will always prefer and use whichever network it can connect to that provides the strongest signal.

Describe what is happening when you are attempting to place a WiFi call as well as what you experience on the call.

KatiM_VZW

[DigitalRules]

Didn't even know Verizon offered Wi-Fi calling???

Were you at the same address as you are now when you used T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling? Describe what is making the Wi-Fi calling experience terrible.

[SpringTx]

Here's some of my experiences:

1) Receiving a call, sitting 8 feet from my router, I hear the caller, but the caller can't hear me.

2) Making a call (20 feet from router) the calls are broken up (sound coming in and out), experiences on both sides of the conversation. In this case, I may have 2 to 3 bars on the network, when the call is made, but this fluctuates even if I stand still.

3) Making or receiving a call, all is fine until I walk around the house, at which point the call breaks up.

Re: the T-Mobile question, I was at the same address as now.

[DigitalRules]

Still not sure if Verizon offers Wi-fi calling? (not on my phone anyway)

If in your shoes I would install one of the free Wi-fi calling apps & see how that works for you. I use Talkatone & it works great on stable Wi-fi connections.  Sounds MUCH better than VoLTE did.

[Weth]

Verizon is offering wifi calling and it is in beta right now for a very limited type of phone. There are reports of iPhones 6 and 6S that are doing beta iOS are also being tested with wifi calling. So in a way, this is a beta product right now. The reports I have reviewed are that Verizon has chosen a cellular preferred version of wifi calling. That is, if both wifi signals and cellular signals are strong it will send the call over cellular. If the cellular signal gets low (but not zero), it will switch to wifi calling. I personally doubt Verizon will switch to wifi preferred calling as they are very proud of their network as opposed to T-mobile which really needed wifi preferred calling in many areas.

There will be an announcement when wifi calling is generally available. However, even then it will be very limited to newer phones.

The OP can always turn off cellular to force the wifi calling.

[SpringTx]

Digitalrules - Since Verizon's Wi-Fi calling is so bad,  I use Ooma's Wi-Fi calling app, for calling out.  This doesn't solve the problems for calls incoming to my cell phone.

[SpringTx]

Weth - How can I turn off cellular on an S6? I don't see an option.

Verizon - Is he right that your Wi-Fi calling is cellular preferred? Very bad idea! Provide the option to select, like your smarter competitor does.

[Weth]

I Use iPhones, so not sure on S6, but at least airplane mode and turn on wifi should do the trick, just like you would on a plane for plane wifi. 

[Weth]

I Do agree with you, the choice should be available to the end user.