T-Mobile UnCarrier 7.0 Brings Wi-Fi Calling to All New Phones

Source: T-Mobile

T-Mobile just revealed its plans for UnCarrier 7.0, which it’s calling Wi-Fi unleashed. The biggest news is that moving forward every smartphone the company sells will be configured to allow Wi-Fi calling and texting. You can also trade in your old phone for a new Wi-Fi enabled phone using a limited time JUMP! offer. The company’s upgraded Wi-Fi calling service should also mean fewer dropped calls even as you move between LTE and Wi-Fi. Another bonus of this feature is calling at home if you have Wi-Fi but don't have T-Mobile coverage where you live (and work if your company has Wi-Fi as well).

UnCarrier 7.0 also includes a new Wi-Fi device called a Personal CellSpot, which the company will be giving away to “qualifying” customers starting on September 17. The Wi-Fi routers should help bring fast Wi-Fi service and Wi-Fi calls to dark spots in your home or business where you couldn’t get online before. “It’s a T-Mobile tower in your house,” said CEO John Legere. The first one is free for qualified customers with supported devices, though second, third and fourth units can be purchased for $99 each.

Finally, T-Mobile is partnering with Gogo to offer unlimited text messaging, including picture and video messages, and visual voicemail on Gogo-equipped flights, though you won’t be able to return any calls while you’re in the air. That’s free too, and should work on all (or most) of T-Mobile’s new Wi-Fi calling enabled smartphones.

While this has been a plan of T-Mobile's for a while, it couldn't come at a more convenient time the day after the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus announcement.  The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are enabled for Wi-Fi calling.

Source: T-Mobile;