Google Tests LTE Phone Calls on Project Fi

Those of you who have encountered call quality issues with Google’s Project Fi service may rejoice: the company has begun testing VoLTE, which means higher quality calls over data, faster data browsing during a call, and faster call setup. Unfortunately, the feature only works with T-Mobile’s networks for the time being, but I imagine they will expand it to AT&T and Verizon as well, being that they also have VoLTE-capable networks.

Google [has] been testing Voice over LTE (VoLTE) network connections for some people who subscribe to its Project Fi wireless service. Getting access to VoLTE means that phone calls will use 4G LTE, allowing for better call quality and faster data connections for mapping apps and other services that consume data. “You can tell you’re making a VoLTE call because your signal indicator will continue to display LTE instead of falling to H (HSPA) when you make or receive a call,” Project Fi community manager Alena wrote in a Google forum post.

About time..

I have Project Fi. Love my $25 a month bill.

You can force the phone to only use Sprint or Tmobile via a # code.

But I really never have any problems with my calls so ....

Megalith said:

Those of you who have encountered call quality issues with Google’s Project Fi service may rejoice: the company has begun testing VoLTE, which means higher quality calls over data, faster data browsing during a call, and faster call setup. Unfortunately, the feature only works with T-Mobile’s networks for the time being, but I imagine they will expand it to AT&T and Verizon as well, being that they also have VoLTE-capable networks.

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I would imagine not, since Project Fi only uses T-Mobile and Sprint networks.

This is a welcome development though!

Haven't Apple had this for like ever from iPhone to iPhone?

dunno, I don't know anyone that owns an iphone.

It's hard to tell an iphone from one model to the next right? They they all look the same?

aokman said:

Haven't Apple had this for like ever from iPhone to iPhone?

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That's different.

VoLTE is tied to the network so you can use regardless of what number you call and what hardware they have on the other side.

With traditional voice calls the data goes over the pre-LTE GSM or CDMA 3G or lower networks. With CDMA network phones this was particularly problematic as you couldn't talk and use data at the same time, as the coice call would take over your phones network connection. (unless on WiFi)

For GSM networks the only improvements are quality, and the fact that if you have LTE coverage, but not 3g or lower coverage, you can still make and receive calls.

So with VoLTE the network enables you to make voice calls using their LTE networks, and it works on compatible phones.

There is an obvious push towards this, as pre-LTE networks aren't going to be around forever.

On Apple phones this is just a simple VOIP (and video and message as well) phone to phone function that uses your phones internet connection.

Most recent Android phones already support VoLTE. This is an update to the Fi network (operating over the stronger of T-Mobile or Sprint's networks wherever you happen to be at the time) not to the phones.

It's not as big a deal as this article makes it sound either. I used to have VoLTE on my Droid Turbo on Verizon. When I switched to Fi a year ago, I didn't even realize I didn't have VoLTE. I just assumed I did. Until I saw this news post, that is.

Zarathustra[H] said:

I would imagine not, since Project Fi only uses T-Mobile and Sprint networks.

This is a welcome development though!

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And US Cellular

Jon855 said:

And US Cellular

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Huh, Completely missed that they added US. Cellular. But that is pretty irrelevant anyway, they are more or less a non-player in the national market. I've never run across them at all.

I often kind of forget that they exist at all. I tend to think of the U.S. as a 4 carrier (Vzw, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, in that order) + a bunch of MVNO's cellular market.

Zarathustra[H] said:

Huh, Completely missed that they added US. Cellular. But that is pretty irrelevant anyway, they are more or less a non-player in the national market. I've never run across them at all.

I often kind of forget that they exist at all. I tend to think of the U.S. as a 4 carrier (Vzw, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, in that order) + a bunch of MVNO's cellular market.

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No biggie - just making sure you had the complete list (I should know I'm on GoogleFi)

I wish they would lower the price on higher GB, I would switch right now, but for me with 8+ GB a month on the low side it doesn't save out any

If it was 5 bucks per gig I would switch tomorrow, and get a pixel

Vaulter98c said:

I wish they would lower the price on higher GB, I would switch right now, but for me with 8+ GB a month on the low side it doesn't save out any

If it was 5 bucks per gig I would switch tomorrow, and get a pixel

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Lol. I spend less than $30 a month before fees.. I don't think I've broken a gig since switching to Fi.

I'd always appreciate lower prices though.

Love my project fi -- paid off my 6P and ~35/month after taxes is awesome. I'm usually on Wifi anyways.

I'm happy with it even without the high quality voLTE thing.... *shrugs* more options are always good though. No way in hell I could ever go back to paying 70-100 bucks a month through Verizon.

Same for me I use wifi calling all the time on my Nexus 6P....my last bill on Fi was $27 including taxes...lol..Love Fi

Really liked Fi but both Sprint and Tmo suck in my area

I always thought LTE meant Lousy Telephone Experience. So now we're going to get Very overrated & Lousy Telephone Experience? Until they go full duplex, cellular will continue to suck.

I have converted a lot of friends to Fi...for a light data user like myself (or wifi at home) really cant beat it. Hope they keep pushing technology!

Bedlam said:

I have converted a lot of friends to Fi...for a light data user like myself (or wifi at home) really cant beat it. Hope they keep pushing technology!

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Yep, with the amount of data I use (~800MB/month on average) it is a fantastic deal.

I used to pay almost $90 for a 2GB plan with Verizon, now I pay under $30 most months, and I even have a second sim for my tablet now I didn't used to have.

My phone is dumb and refuses to use the wifi for half my calls. I'll dial into a conference call 3 times before it decides that the wifi coming from the router right next to me is better than the 1-2 bars of cell coverage in the basement. 5X user here.

CombatChrisNC said:

My phone is dumb and refuses to use the wifi for half my calls. I'll dial into a conference call 3 times before it decides that the wifi coming from the router right next to me is better than the 1-2 bars of cell coverage in the basement. 5X user here.

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I have to go into airplane mode to make my 6P make wifi calls....have to click on the wifi tab after going into airplane mode...pain but it works!

CombatChrisNC said:

My phone is dumb and refuses to use the wifi for half my calls. I'll dial into a conference call 3 times before it decides that the wifi coming from the router right next to me is better than the 1-2 bars of cell coverage in the basement. 5X user here.

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fvbounty said:

I have to go into airplane mode to make my 6P make wifi calls....have to click on the wifi tab after going into airplane mode...pain but it works!

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My Pixel XL tends to do this as well sometimes..I have an extremely rhobust 5Ghz AC wireless setup at home with multiple access points on all 3 floors, and my XL will try to use the shitty -114dB LTE signal instead..