New Delhi: State-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched Voice-over-WiFi (VoWiFi) services across all telecom circles in the country, marking a nationwide rollout from the New Year.
With this move, BSNL joins private players Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea in offering WiFi calling to customers.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Communications, the service allows users to make and receive voice calls and messages over a WiFi network, ensuring reliable connectivity in areas with poor mobile signal such as homes, offices, basements and remote locations.
The service uses the subscriber’s existing mobile number and phone dialer and does not require any third-party applications.
VoWiFi is based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology and supports seamless switching between WiFi and cellular networks.
The ministry said the service would be particularly useful in rural and underserved regions where mobile coverage is limited, provided a stable WiFi connection, such as BSNL Bharat Fiber or other broadband services, is available. It is being offered free of cost, with no additional charges for WiFi calls.
The rollout is part of BSNL’s broader network modernisation programme. Announcing the launch on X, BSNL said its Chairman and Managing Director A. Robert J. Ravi addressed employees nationwide to mark the New Year, highlighting recent progress and unveiling pan-India VoWiFi on BSNL’s 4G network. Most modern smartphones support VoWiFi by default.
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