Soon, Jio plans to bring new calling technology: Details here
What's the story
Over the years, the telecom sector has evolved in ways more than one could imagine, giving us access to improved calling, internet services.
The development still continues, but there have been problems of spotty connections in some, if not all, parts of the country.
Now, this is exactly what Jio is planning to tackle with VoWi-Fi - an all-new calling technology.
Here's more.
Technology
What is VoWi-Fi?
As the name suggests, VoWi-Fi or voice over Wi-Fi is a technology that delivers voice calling services over IP via a Wi-Fi network.
It would come as a complementary solution to VoLTE, which Jio already uses to let consumers make high-definition voice calls using cellular internet.
With VoWi-Fi, VoLTE calls would be handled over both LTE and Wi-Fi, connecting even without a mobile signal.
Information
VoWi-Fi would be ideal in rural regions
VoWi-Fi works in such a way that people living in rural areas or remote parts of the country would be able to make calls easily, even when they do not get full cellular network on their phones.
Test
Notably, Jio is already testing VoWi-Fi
Reliance Jio, according to a report in TelecomTalk, is already working on a plan to bring VoWi-Fi to life.
The telco has been testing the tech in select parts of the country, including Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Kerala, and others.
However, as of now, there is no word when the service might actually be rolled out for the public.
Availability
Initially, VoWiFi would be limited to Jio itself
The TelecomTalk report notes that VoWi-Fi service would initially come as Jio product but other telcos are also expected to jump on the bandwagon.
Vodafone Idea and Airtel both have confirmed the plan to bring the technology, noting that they have been carrying out tests.
Airtel's Gopal Vittal had even claimed that they are in the advanced stages of the testing phase.
Launch
Launch timeline remains unclear
Neither Jio or nor any other telco has given a word on when VoWi-Fi will be available.
However, going by the current tests, a launch sometime in 2020 seems plausible, according to a report in Financial Express.
To note, the folks at TelecomTalk had even seen a screenshot of a test device running Jio's VoWi-Fi; it showed 'Jio WiFi' next to the signal bar.