One iOS 8 feature Apple didn’t have time to talk about yesterday at WWDC was its new Wi-Fi calling feature, which will allow customers to make phone calls without using a cellular connection, handy when you’re low on voice minutes, roaming overseas or you don’t have a cell service.
T-Mobile was the first U.S. carrier to declare they would support the feature and now Rogers in Canada has stated it will support the feature when it debuts, in a statement provided via email to iPhoneinCanada.ca:
We’ll support the iOS 8 Wi-Fi calling feature when it becomes available in Canada. In the meantime, Rogers customers using the Rogers One Number service on their computer, tablet or smartphone can already make calls over Wi-Fi. They can video chat with other Rogers One Number users or call any Canadian number for free, no matter where they are. For more info on Rogers One Number http://Rogers.com/OneNumber.
Roaming is a contentious issue for Canadians when they are visiting the U.S. (hence the popularity of Roam Mobility) or traveling overseas since rates are expensive. The ability to make Wi-Fi calls right within iOS 8 looks to be a feature that will take away from other VoIP apps like Skype.
We’ve reached out to both Telus and Bell regarding support for Wi-Fi calling and will provide updates once they come in.
