International WiFi Calling: Is it Free?

Written By Alejandra Jasso

29th Sep 2023

WiFi calling is a feature built into most cellular devices that allows you to make and receive calls and texts over WiFi. It’s really handy when cellular service is unavailable or unreliable.

You can stay in touch with those who matter, even with those who live internationally, almost anywhere a WiFi connection is available. Calling the US from home or abroad is free, but what about international WiFi calling?

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Is International WiFi Calling Free?

Since it’s free to use WiFi calling for domestic communication, many people assume the same applies when calling or texting long-distance numbers. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Per the three major US carriers’ WiFi calling terms, calling or texting international numbers over WiFi can result in additional charges. Rates will vary across carriers and countries.

AT&T International WiFi Calling Rates

WiFi Calling Other Countries From the US

Most of AT&T's plans include texting to 200+ countries at no charge. You don’t have to worry about being charged for sending texts over WiFi. However, when calling internationally over WiFi from AT&T's Domestic Coverage Area (DCA), which includes the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, international long-distance rates apply. They are charged per minute and rounded up to the nearest minute.

WiFi Calling Other Countries When Abroad

WiFi calling charges to countries outside of AT&T's DCA depend on your international roaming add-ons.

International roaming add-ons include:

AT&T International Day Pass ($10/day): Fee includes WiFi calling to over 210 destinations. If WiFi calling a country not included in the International Day Pass, you will be billed pay-per-use rates.
AT&T Cruise Package ($100 or $60 for 30 days): WiFi calling is included in package allowance. Rates will apply after allowance has been reached.
Pay-Per-Use: If you do not have an international roaming add-on, WiFi calls to international numbers will be charged a per-minute rate.

T-Mobile International WiFi Calling Rates

WiFi Calling Other Countries From the US

WiFi calls placed to other countries from the US are subject to your plan’s long-distance charges. You can take a look at T-Mobile's stateside international rates for long-distance fees.

If you have T-Mobile's Stateside International Talk add-on ($15/mo), which includes calls from the US to landlines in 70+ countries and mobile lines in 30+ countries as well as discounted rates to the rest of the world, WiFi calling is not supported. It only covers calls made over cellular. WiFi calls will be charged at the international rate.

Sending texts over WiFi calling to international numbers is also subject to your plans long distance charges. However, most plans activated after November 2015 include unlimited texting to anywhere text is available. Thus, you shouldn’t be billed for texting over WiFi if you have a compatible plan.

WiFi Calling Other Countries When Abroad

For those who have an unlimited T-Mobile plan:

WiFi calls cost $0.25/min when in 215+ countries and destinations.
WiFi calls are charged at World Class rates when on a cruise ship/ferry network, airline (in-flight) network, or countries not included in the 215+ list. You can check rates here, in the “Which country or destination are you traveling to?” section.
Messages over WiFi are included when in 215+ countries and destinations.
Messages over WiFi cost $0.50 when on a cruise ship/ferry network, airline (in-flight) network, or countries not included in the 215+ list.

Those without unlimited plans are subject to World Class rates when calling other countries while aboard.

Verizon International WiFi Calling Rates

Verizon’s international WiFi calling charges are very vague. They state:

WiFi Calling Other Countries From the US	Charges are based on your international long-distance calling plan. Pay-as-you-go rates apply if you do not have one.
WiFi Calling Other Countries When Abroad	Charges are based on your international long-distance calling plan. Pay-as-you-go rates apply if you do not have one.

How to Make International Calls Over WiFi?

Step 1: Enable WiFi Calling

When trying to make an international call over WiFi, you will first want to enable WiFi calling via your phone settings.

How To:

For iPhone:

Connect your iPhone to a WiFi network.
Go to Settings.
Tap Phone.
Toggle On.
Tap Enable.

For Android:

Connect your Android phone to a WiFi network.
Go to Settings.
Tap Connections / Voice Networks / Calls (varies across Androids)
Toggle On.

Step 2: Dial Number

The next step is to open your phone app and correctly dial the number you want to call. It should consist of the + or 011 followed by the country code, area of city code (if applicable), and then the phone number.

The calling process may vary across some countries. Thus, it's recommended to check the dialing process with your cellular provider.

AT&T

T-Mobile

Verizon

Step 3: Make Call

After punching in the number, tap the call button. It’s that simple.

You’ll know if your call is being routed through WiFi if:

You see “Wi-Fi” on the status bar in the Control Center of your iPhone.
You see a WiFi calling icon on the status bar or dialing keypad on your Android.

Improve International Voice and Text Reliability with SignalBoosters

When cellular service is unavailable or unreliable, WiFi calling can be extremely convenient when making international calls. However, it's not always reliable. A weak internet connection and bandwidth constraints will prevent you from maintaining an uninterrupted connection.

If your calls drop and texts fail when using WiFi in the US, we can help improve your cellular reception to ensure reliable connectivity with a cell phone signal booster.

Signal Boosters is a leading provider of cell phone signal boosters for homes, offices, and vehicles. They take your outside cell signal and deliver it even stronger inside homes, offices, or vehicles. Contact us today via phone (1-800-470-6777) or email (sales@signalboosters.com) with any questions you may have.

Sources:

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