Telus Extend. Wifi calling

[nasty]

The future of the phone system, VOIP, is coming  to Telus. Great to have alternatives to transfer your voice/text to wifi and on more devices than just your cell phone.

Telus currently testing(in Beta) wifi calling for people who live in low quality cellular areas. Extend is an IP-based solution for TELUS customers, by using an app.

 App screenshots on Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.telus.telusextend

http://mobilesyrup.com/2014/10/17/telus-extend-takes-on-rogers-one-number-by-bringing-free-voice-and...

TELUS has launched a new service in beta that allows smartphone, tablet and laptop users to make phone calls and send text messages over WiFi. Called TELUS Extend, it will be available for free to all existing wireless subscribers.

Similar to Rogers One Number, the app bypasses TELUS’s cellular network to initiate calls, and doesn’t count towards a customer’s monthly voice or text allotment.

Extend also allows TELUS customers to make calls to any North American number free of charge, regardless of whether their plan has a long distance add-on.

Meant to augment a customer’s existing cellular plan, Extend lets customers make and receive calls on a tablet or laptop

[Dark_Knight]

@PhoneUserthey have been rolling it out for more people. Did this person sign up to be notified by downloading the app and trying to use it?

[PhoneUser]

I have tried it first, downloading the app but I haven't received an invite yet.  

[burrowingeye604]

Have been on the beta system for Extend for a couple of months.....very useful & efficient app for calling within NA....heading off on a trip to Europe with an unlocked S4 but an international SIM card which we have used successfully in the past....does anyone know whether the Extend app will work with any SIM card or only a Telus SIM card ???

[hellochuman]

I have this feature and its awesome.  Cell phone coverage is bad at my home.  I switched to a corporate plan and it was taken off.  I called back and begged them to put it back and they did.  I was wondering if anyone can chime in on my question.  If one were to go to the USA and get a Verizon, T-Mobile ($20 for 1gb that I've seen) data plan only (hotspoting it with an old phone) and just use Telus extend to call, text and wifi.  Wouldn't that be better than getting Roam Mobility?

What I was thinking was turning my current phone on airplane mode, turning on wifi (telus extend) to pick up the hotspot signal and bypass Roam Mobility (and the USA #)

[NFtoBC]

Should work. Telus Extend should be location agnostic. Sounds like you can be the perfect test pilot, as you have a backup plan in place.

[NFtoBC]

@hellochuman

    Yup! You could use any of a number of ways to connect to a WiFi hotspot, using an old phone is just one way to do so.

[NFtoBC]

Test. Last reply not uploaded.

[Rookie_2468]

I have a simple question. How do you answer a wifi call on a locked iphone. When my iPhone times out and locks any inbound call is automatically answered by the cellular network. Yes the app is open and running in the background. Yes I have selected answer wifi calls in the extend app settings. Calls have two ringtones,  my standard cellular network ringtone and the extend wifi call ringtone. 

[xl]

Depends...  if there is wifi coverage. Roam Mobility allows you to send receive calls in far more places than where wifi can be found. If some wants to reach you... you won't know until you have manually connected to that wifi site and possibly signed in.

[Steve-Traveler]

I'm a beta user and can provide some testing results and insight:

1. How do you answer on a locked phone? The answer/end pops up just like a normal call except it the extend app, no need to unlock.

2. App work great, I commute Canada/US and when in WIFI in US, I just swtich to Airplane mode and turn on WIFI and I get calls and messages just like I was on cell network, and can send and place calls too. Quality is no different than cellular.

3. Only one glitch, if you receive texts while on Wifi, they will resend to you when you connect back to Cellular, Telus working to resolve.

[Whit27]

I have been trying to get into this beta for 3 months with no luck.  I have had the app on my iPhone and check daily to see if the product is out of Beta.  I live in a building where I get limited cell service and this is something that would allow me to not miss as many calls personal or business.

I have called support, tweeted and asked everyone I can at Telus and there has been zero help to getting into the beta.

I am to the point where I may at the end of the month be looking at other providers and options because of the service I get.

Plus its frustrating seeing more and more people posting saying they are now part of the beta, which means people are being added, yet for some reason a long lasting client of Telus gets the run around on a product that may benefit them and also keep them happy.

If anyone can help please let me know.... I would love to be involved in the beta and offer feedback and testing info.

Whit

[Samuel]

Hi Whit,

Thank you for your post!  I just wanted to let you know I've been looking into this request for you.  I don't mean to keep you waiting long for an answer, I'm just waiting for more information.  I'll update you as soon as I can.

[Todd]

Anyone else having a problem the past couple days with sending SMS on Telus Extend? When I send one, it gives me an error symbol, however the person I am sending the message to is receiving it 4 times.

[Todd]

Has anyone else had issues sending SMS messages on Telus extend? The past couple days when I send an SMS, I get an error symbol, but the person I send the message to receives it 4 times

[ewm1965]

Is there going to be an app for the Windows phone? I've search but can't find anything.

[Nighthawk]

I suspect if there is enough demand there may be an app for Windows Phone. Considering it's not a very popular platform currently, it may be a while.

[jb_008]

Hello Samuel, if you get an answer for Whit, can you please let me know too. I am a business phone user and am often either in the US or in areas where there is no cell coverage in Northern Ontario, but I have wifi in some of these areas. Also I have very poor coverage inside my house as well, so unless I put my phone in a very specific spot in my room I get no service. Thanks

[jordo11]

Hi folks,

If any of you are using the beta, or any Telus team members out there see this, have any of you noticed that sometimes conversations disappear from the Extend app? Just this morning I was using the app, sent a message to a friend, clicked back to the messages, and the whole thread was gone. I understand it is still a beta so it is expected, I was just curious if anyone noticed this particular problem. Love the app otherwise.  

[NFtoBC]

Any updates on availability? I've twice received a code, but have been unable to create a login.

[lakeshiner]

Good Morning,

Is there an opportunity to become a test customer?

We have been Telus mobile customers for over 20 year.

We have been trying to find third party application so we can have wifi access calling and texting. My wifes work consists of being on call for 2 weeks at a time, and this has become difficult.

We presently live in Castlegar, BC, and our lake property is on the Arrow Lakes, where there is no cell service, or grid power.

We use "Columbia Wireless" as our internet provider, and produce our own micro hydro power, so we would be your best test customers...........

Please let us know, Thanks and have a great day/weekend!!!!

[Remarkable_Ryan]

Hi @lakeshiner

Thank you for responding.

Unfortunately at this time, during BETA testing, the testers have already been selected and have begun testing.

I recommend to keep an eye on www.telus.com for more updates though!

I hope you have a good weekend!

Remarkable Ryan at TELUS