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T-Mobile shuts off Wi-Fi Calling feature on some older phones

A mobile phone running on the T-Mobile wireless network. (Photo: The Desk)

T-Mobile will stop supporting its Wi-Fi Calling feature on a number of older phones, according to text messages received by some customers this week.

Wi-Fi Calling allows customers to use their Wi-Fi connection to make phone calls over the Internet using their existing phone number as part of their wireless service. The feature is helpful for customers who live or work in areas where T-Mobile’s signal is not the strongest, particularly indoors.

Most newer smartphones support T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Calling but starting soon, a number of older smartphones that once supported the perk will no longer be able to connect to the feature.

Those phones include the following models:

  • Alcatel One Touch Pop Astro
  • Alcatel Fierce 2
  • LG Optimus L70 and L90
  • Microsoft Lumia 640
  • Google Nexus 6
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5
  • Samsung Galaxy S III LTE
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 4
  • Samsung Galaxy Avant
  • Samsung Galaxy Exhibit
  • ZTE Obsidian

T-Mobile did not release specific information as to why those phones will no longer work with the carrier’s Wi-Fi Calling feature, but said the perk would be unavailable to customers if they choose to continue using those handsets after May 31.

Customers who want to continue using Wi-Fi Calling after this date will have to upgrade to a newer device.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is an award-winning journalist with more than 10 years of experience covering the business of television and radio broadcasting, streaming services and the overall media industry. In addition to his work as publisher of The Desk, Matthew contributes regularly to StreamTV Insider and KnowTechie, and has worked for several well-known news organizations, including Thomson Reuters, McNaughton Newspapers, Grasswire, Comstock's magazine, KTXL-TV and KGO-TV. Matthew is a member of IRE, a trade organization for investigative reporters and editors, and is based in Northern California.

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