Wifi calling is now available

[#1]

@markv it’s Plusnet Mobile / MVNO that doesn’t provide it. You’re right, the ISP could filter it but to my understanding “big” Plusnet provides a clear channel to the internet. They did at one time experiment with Traffic Shaping (restricting VPNs, gaming etc) but seem to have abandoned it as fast links became common.

I must admit, I find Plusnet the ISP to be great, but Plusnet Mobile is / are a different kettle of fish. That’s why I talk about “Big Plusnet” and the Mobile bolt-on… The mobile side isn’t great - it’s based on “cheap and cheerful” but in light of other low cost MVNOs providing “new standard” services like WiFi Calling, VoLTE and Visual Voicemail, you no longer get what you pay for with them. The only reason I stay is because EE has the widest U.K. coverage.

[#2]

My EE signal booster has just been turned off. Now I only get zero or 1 bar in the house. Not convinced WiFi calling us working for me but will check that out more.
Also noticed phone battery life has dramatically reduced as I think the phone is at full power trying to connect to a mast. Anyone out there using something similar to the old we 3g Nokia Siemens UMTS femtocell fapr-hsp 5000 ?

[#3]

Wish they would sort this , we really need wifi calling to as mobile signal in our postcode is awful

[#4]

@dbhunter , @dbhunter  The Plusnet brand is BT's 'bargain basement' brand - you are unlikely to get 'enhanced' features.

[#5]

Thing is, the pricing no longer reflects Bargain Basement, and WiFi calling is no longer an enhanced feature.

If Lebara can provide bargain basement (no WiFi calling) for £1.99 > £6 for 12Gb, and Smarty can provide WiFi calling for around Plusnet’s price point, they’re seriously on the wrong footing.

I see 3 service levels as being applicable in 2022:

Budget - no WiFi calling / VoLTE etc for ~£5 or less

Standard - including WiFi calling and VoLTE for sub £10

Premium - enhanced service centres who give specialist service for £15+

I’ve been running Lebara (Vodafone) for 2 months on a very cheap rate for 2 months; after 5 months it’ll still be £3pm cheaper than PN for exactly the same service level, and the only difference is the carrier / coverage. For the same price as PN I could have what you call advanced services on Smarty / Three - though I don’t rate their coverage.

I took the Lebara SIM purely as a backup while roaming in Ireland, but I’m seriously on the fence as to which one to cancel. Plusnet are now grossly overpriced for the features they’re offering; they’re charging for “standard” features but delivering Ryanair-style service.

Classing WiFi Calling an advanced feature in 2022 is like calling Analogue Voice or Pulse Dialing “standard”.

[#6]

Sure I read the other day that BT are switching off FEM2CELL. Can’t recall when though.

[#7]

@yorkshirekev Tell BT, they're the ones who decide what their 'brands' offer.

[#8]

This is true, but BT have always had few admirers across the industry. They are what they are, a commercial monster where each division sets its own policies, often in conflict, and very often creating internal operational challenges. I wouldn’t pretend I could ever influence them, all I’m saying is they (Plusnet) are no longer competitive in the Mobile marketplace.

The only way that may change is if people vote with their feet - or fingers - and move Mobile away. PN are great for fixed line internet access, but their mobile division are a different animal; much like the variety of BT departments.

As I say, I’m seriously on the fence now, and logic says I can get the same Mobil service, possibly compromising coverage, for £48 less pa 🤔

[#9]

@yorkshirekev Fyi - Lebara are currently rolling out WiFi calling and VoLTE (in addition to 5G and short codes).  All customers should have it apparently within the next 8 weeks.

[#10]

Ye gods! 😁 That will be a game changer! Thanks for that info, I’ll look into that and keep my £1.99 account active (think it increases to £5.99 after 5 months, but still…)

[#11]

I’ve got it! And, if what I’ve read is right, visual voicemail - the full shebang! I didn’t know because I’ve only been using that SIM in a router. I’ll be sorting out the transfer tomorrow. I knew someone would provide this as a standard service soon.

Thanks for letting me know.

[#12]

Your spot on there voting with our feet and the only way PN will take note is when were all gone.

I ordered an EE SIM last Thursday, arrived Saturday (postman failed to deliver Friday, must have had a long weekend), popped the new SIM into my phone, order an eSIM with instant download so have now joined the 21^st century. My PN number ported over today, would have been a Monday port if it wasn’t for the postie’s long week-end but everything is just fine now.

5G, all the 4G radio bands, Wi-Fi calling, 4G calling, eSIM and all for £1.30p a month more than my PN deal with same calls, text and data plan.

[#13]

EE do some good broadband deals including FTTP

If you have EE broadband you automatically receive an extra 5GB of data on your EE mobile 

 🤔🤔🤔

[#14]

So, a brief update. I did have technical problems with the Lebara porting form, but a quick call to their support got the port underway and the porting happened early the following afternoon, with WiFi Calling and VoLTE added the following day 😁 Signal strength in my house is better (-103dBm compared with -121 - or 3 bars compared with 2) and I’ll pay £3pm less for the same 12Gb. EU and India roaming is included, with world roaming available at a price (I don’t think PN offer that) and it also includes 100 minutes to foreign numbers as standard - for me it’s a no-brainer. There’s also an online support chat, which was answered instantly - Plusnet could really learn from that.

Moderators Note: Removed paragraph as personal gain is against Forum rules

[#15]

@ChrisAtBristol You said that you put your new EE SIM in and then ordered an eSIM.  Out of interest which network is your eSIM on please?