Sprint to start Wi-Fi calling to ease network congestion

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- In an effort to ease traffic on its networks, Sprint will allow customers to make calls and send texts using a Wi-Fi network, the company announced Friday.

The service will be available to Sprint customers who are not within the vicinity of the cellular network, and will allow them to make calls, as well as send and receive text messages. The service is being offered at present on two Google Android-based phones -- the Samsung Galaxy Mega and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini.

These phones will receive automatic over-the-air software updates. Sprint plans to extend this service to other devices during the course of the year. Customers will not be charged for calls and texts sent via Wi-Fi network, but certain plans with limited voice minutes and texts will have this count toward their monthly activity.

This is not the first time Wi-Fi networks are being used to improve cell phone coverage. T-mobile was the first major wireless operator to offer such a service. AT&T too has been investing heavily to develop a large Wi-Fi network, as a way to reduce cellular congestion.

While using a Wi-Fi network does present some challenges -- its short range could mean multiple hand-offs and possible interference between networks -- Sprint is hoping to use home and office Wi-Fi networks, especially since it has struggled with in-builidng coverage.

[CNET]