Sprint nixes fees on int’l Wi-Fi calling to P.R., U.S., USVI
Wi-Fi Calling lets Sprint customers use voice and messaging services over existing home, office and public Wi-Fi networks.(Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)
Sprint will begin offering international Wi-Fi calling back to the United States at no additional cost starting with an over-the-air software update to Samsung Galaxy S 4 with Sprint Spark, rolling out now, the company announced Thursday.
The new feature allows those traveling abroad with Wi-Fi Calling-enabled phones to make and receive calls in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico at no additional charge while connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi Calling lets Sprint customers use voice and messaging services over existing home, office and public Wi-Fi networks.Available at no additional charge to Sprint customers with a compatible Android smartphone, it offers improved voice, data and messaging services in locations that previously had limited or no mobile network coverage.
International Wi-Fi Calling adds the ability for Sprint customers to use voice and messaging services over existing home, office and public Wi-Fi networks in more than 100 countries outside the U.S. mainland back to the U.S., USVI, and Puerto Rico phone numbers without being charged or using monthly plan minutes.
Galaxy S 4 with Sprint Spark will be the first smartphone from Sprint to get the International Wi-Fi Calling update. Sprint plans to expand Wi-Fi Calling with international calling capabilities to additional devices throughout 2014.
Someday, there should no longer be prohibitive fees for communications abroad that do not reflect, in any way, the true costs of providing telecom services. Sprint’s decision is a step in the right direction.
T-mobile has been doing this for years, I do not see any innovation here but a necessary move to Sprint to avoid lagging to far away.