EE WiFi Calling on Android?

Craig321

Craig321

Craig321

Soldato
Joined
2 May 2004
Posts
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I've not been able to find any info on this, but EE offer WiFi calling and texts, but only on handsets they provide. I don't suppose there's any way I can root my phone, or just install whatever software it is they use to allow you to use the WiFi? I am on EE, so don't see why not! I have the Nexus 5
 
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EE are planning to do it as firmware drops, you're likely to never see it on a nexus 5. The way the system works isn't very complex but the firmware method allows for persistent call handling over wifi at a lower level than at app. Think of it like integrating it at the windows driver level.

The firmware version means the product is a better experience to be honest so I can see why they did it, maybe it's a phased thing so they don't cook their SIP server in the first year.
 
I was looking into this for the wife, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are supported, seemed to be the only android one, and then one of the lumia ones can get it too
 
How is this a firmware thing? Basically EE have to give you a custom ROM? Surely to enable this, requires some sort of change to the OS (Android) for this to work and thus it would mean Google would have to be involved?

The Nexus 6 apparently can do this for T Mob in the US.

Edit:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile...-5-1-1-ota-on-t-mobile-wi-fi-calling-enabled/

My guess is that the network provider has to enable the phone to work for the network option. The phone then allows the option to become visible and you can then utilise it. Similar to how CDMA works in the US. Providers have to approve handsets before they can work on the network. Once approved, they add the phone to the network list, and that phone type can then work on the network.
 
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Ah, so it's from their end rather than a phone feature. :(

Looks like I'll need to get a Nexus 6. Signal is 0 round here so WiFi calling and texting would be perfect.
 
Done a bit more reading, and it does appear that you have to have a ROM from the provider itself that effectively has software bundled in to it for the service to work.

That's gash.

Even more so given the guff that this forum has mentioned about what EE roms contain (rootkits).
 
It's not possible because the software to enable Wi-Fi calling is added to the OS by EE themselves, so if you didn't get your phone from them (meaning it has no network branding) then you can't get it because your OS updates are provided by the manufacturer and not the network.
 
I expect if someone put their mind to it, they could create an installer for the files that are required to enable it - effectively an app that will enable WiFi calling functionality.

But, if EE need to enable from their end as well then there probably isn't much you can do.
 
Calls when you use your device today go out the radio air interface, either via 2G or 3G. The firmware allows for a divert to be put in place which sets up the call via SIP server - as long as it's authenticated against it. I dont know what authentication EE are doing but I'd expect SIM + IMEI or similar.

This isn't tough stuff at all, all networks can do this (and all networks have at least one product that does this - it's just not always consumer, some are not in the UK) but it's device specific because not all devices were created equal and access to the radio driver is required to make it work correctly (on Android) which is shipped in... the firmware :) It's the same dialer interface for those who havn't tried it yet, seamless experience.
 
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