Update on Apple IOS Wifi Calling feature

[ChrisBC]

Would it be possible for you to provide us with an update on the implementation of IOS Wifi calling that was announced by Apple over a year ago? I have horrible service immediately outside of the downtown core of Vancouver in the Olympic Village, and would therefore very much appreciate the wifi calling service. 

Being on an unlimited plan, this would have no impact on Telus' revenue. 

I've looked at Telus' Extend program, which I found very disappointing. I don't understand why Telus needs to reinvent the wheel with an inferior product - seemless transition from wifi to cellular is just one of the lacking features that stands out. I really don't see the difference between Skype and Telus' Extend.

Is it too much to ask to be able to receive telephone calls in my apartment in the city!?!?! Please put up additional towers in the Olympic Village area, or add Apple's Wifi Calling feature. This is appalling service. Over the past 3 years, I have discussed with Telus' Technical Support team a number of times with no resolution.

[Nighthawk]

The only Canadian provider to publicly commit to using this iOS8 feature is Rogers though there is no information to show that they have that feature available for users yet. Only one US carrier has it in place currently though others have committed. It's not a common or widespread feature. Not sure why it hasn't been put in place by the cellular carriers though it's possible Apple may have specific conditions / fees etc. that make it less desirable to implement.

New towers in metro Vancouver? They aren't things that can be easily or quickly installed.

[ChrisBC]

The Olympic village is immediately outside of the Vancouver core, separated merely by 100ft of water, and was built 5 years ago. That seems like more than enough time for a solution, whether it be more towers or wifi calling. I'm sure this isn't the only area where telus customers suffer from poor service coverage at work or home!

U.S. Update from cnet:

Of the four major US carriers, only T-Mobile and Sprint provide built-in Wi-Fi calling. Though no official timeline has been set, Verizon and AT&T have confirmed plans to offer the service, with the latter stating it will launch sometime in 2015. In addition, Republic Wireless provides Wi-Fi calling by default on its handsets, and users get support from Sprint's network if connection is unavailable.

Nothing from telus though!

[Nighthawk]

The nearest Telus tower to the Olympic village would be near East 2nd and Quebec St. Next closest one is at BC Place, then Cambie and West 6th on the west and Terminal and Scotia St on the east. You have more towers in range of you than I've ever seen outside of the lower mainland.

Now all you've said is you have "horrible service" but have not actually said what exactly you get or the phone you're using. With the concentration of people in that area, if there was a network issue, Telus would have been out there long ago after everyone would have called to complain. With so many towers close to you, either there is some issue with your phone or there is something else in the immediate environment that is impacting service to you specifically.

[Dark_Knight]

@ChrisBC You also need to consider the additional costs of implementing this technology. It isn't just as easy as flipping a switch and 'Voila! iOS WiFi calling!', it requires new hardware and infrastructure changes for the carrier. 

Apple worked with T-Mobile ahead of launch when the feature was announced last June, Realistically, it's probably not going to come to Canada for another 6-12 months. At least, not in any widespread fashion. The carriers here will likely restrict the usage to their home networks. With TELUS, you will likely need to subscribe to their internet service or be on one of their public WiFI hotspots to use it. I believe this is the same implementation strategy Rogers plans on using. 

[ChrisBC]

I can only get one bar at home and I'm at the heart of your so called "best you've seen outside of the lower mainland", and yet this is in the lower mainland. That sentence didnt' make any sense. Anyway, your claim seems tough to believe.

I purchased the iphone 6 plus in hope that this would be remedied with Wifi Calling, but the issues still persist. Neighbours of mine also complain of the service. I guess most people have given up complaining to Telus - I've had zero improvement over 3 years despite regularily working with Telus' technical services department.

Dark_Knight - thanks for the update on how Telus plan to optimize billings in lieu of providing adequite service for customers. I'm guessing this will mean that customers will have to use Telus' cheap and horrible routers as well?

[ChrisBC]

Also, I don't think Rogers provide internet in BC. Do they? Probably an alliance thing with Telus, Bell or Shaw.

[Nighthawk]

What my statement basically was saying is you have far more towers near you than most cities have. What you and your neighbors should be doing is calling Telus and have them get one of their mobility techs to take a look. The more that complain, the better.

With your iPhone, are you trying to use LTE or 3G? LTE will have a harder time penetrating all of that concrete and steel in the buildings in that area. 3G will have better reception. Where I live I am lucky if I get 1 bar of LTE but I get full bars on 3G. Plus voice uses 3G not LTE.

[NFtoBC]

@Nighthawk

   Looks like you were caught by a missing comma. Better than a missing period, I guess!

You have more towers in range of you than I've ever seen, outside of the lower mainland.

[NFtoBC]

To help with understanding, here are two maps of communities at the same scale.

Vancouver Olympic Village:

Kelowna:

Seems to me that as long as you are not seeing interruptions of service, coverage is more than adequate!

[NFtoBC]

Also, I don't think Rogers provide internet in BC. Do they? Probably an alliance thing with Telus, Bell or Shaw.

Probably a CRTC licensing 'thing.' Cable providers were provided with an exclusivity clause due to the cost to build the infrastructure. Same for landline, electricity service provision, and other utilities.

[ChrisBC]

Thought I would provide an update. 

I've now checked signal strength from the roof of my building (15th floor), which has no concrete interference, and signal strength still ranged from 1-2 bars. 

Not sure how that jives with your statement:

"You have more towers in range of you than I've ever seen, outside of the lower mainland."

Telus has some work to do for the residents of the Olympic Village Vancouver!!

[mymikestory]

There's 1-2 month Telus wasn't working on it (as i heard from someone in charge of projects) so the time they implement it; it may be really long. People inside have ask for it but they didn't accept it. I'm dying for this feature but i may quit this earth before Telus get it.. In best case next year.. In the best case.. if they do it.