Wifi Calling on Samsung S7

[Zammo76]

Hi 

I bought a Samung S7 on Vodafone through Carphone Warehouse about 5 months ago and recently tried enable Wifi Calling. After much messing about and callling and chatting to customer services it turns out that I can't have this feature as I ddin't buy my phone directly from Vodafone. In fact the option to turn on Wifi Calling doesn't even show up on my phone, presumably because it hasn't been flashed with the correct firmware.

Has anyone else bought their phone from Carphonewarehouse and has the same problem? Or do they have the option available?

I was thinking of maybe paying to get the phone unlocked and then updating it to see if it pulls through the correct firmware update to enable wifi calling, but i'm not sure if this is even possible?

[AnnS]

Hi @Zammo76

In  order to use WiFi calling and for the phone to have the correct network software, the phone has to be purchased direct from the network.

WiFi calling

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Zammo76

Thats correct as per the information from the wifi calling Vodafone page. 

"To take advantage of Wi-Fi Calling, you need:

A Pay monthly Red or Red Value Bundle, Red+ or Business Premier*

A compatible device:

iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus or iPhone SE
A Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S7 or S7 edge bought directly from Vodafone at one of our stores, online or by phone through our customer services team"

No one who's purchased the phone from an independent would have the access to this feature. That's because its an unbranded phone ,and thus does not have Vodafone's branded firmware on it.

In regards to putting your own ROM on it then perhaps somewhere like the XdaDevelopers forum maybe useful.

[Zammo76]

I don't care what it says on that page, as there was no way of me knowing that as a buyer until I bought the device. 

I bought the phone from Carphone Warehouse on Vodafones network which was expressly advertised as having Wifi Calling. So Vodafone can't now just tell me that I can't make use of this feature as I didn't buy it direct from them. That is called FALSE ADVERTISING and its illegal.

I've actaully written a letter of complaint and I hope to get this remedied.

But just want to hear of other peoples experiences of having a Vodafone phone through carphone warehouse and if they were able to use Wifi Calling, to see if mine is just an isolated issue. 

[AnnS]

Hi @Zammo76

I am not quite sure how you can call this false advtising, Vodafone have made it quite clear that WiFi calling is only available on selected handsets purchased direct from the network.  If you had done some simple research before going ahead, this would have given you the answer, all the information is available from the website or from Vodafone Stores.

If WiFi calling was essential to your needs, you should have asked Carphone the question before going ahead and commiting to an lengthy contract which did not meet the criteria for your needs.

[Zammo76]

Are you guys for real?

We're see how my complaint goes and then we're see who's right. 

Advert says it supports wifi calling then network says it doesn't. False Advertising. Case closed. 

[jeffkinn]

We already know who's right.

[AnnS]

@Zammo76

You now know the importance of doing your own research before making an important decision which is going to cost a lot of money.

Its all on the website, you only needed to Google the information.

[63johnw]

Hi. It's not false advertising I am afraid, lots of things are advertised subject to terms and conditions and its up to us as customers to read them. It clearly states in the WiFi calling section that the device must be bought from Vodafone directly, so how is that false advertising.

[Zammo76]

So your telling me a customer who buys a phone that is clearly advertised as having wifi calling and is locked into the vodafone network is expected first to search for how to actuvate wifi calling on vodafones website to then find it isn't possible as the phone wasn't bought directly from vodafone.

That is blatent false advertisement.