Why T-Mobile needs Wi-Fi calling: its network can’t match AT&T and Verizon

T-Mobile’s new emphasis on Wi-Fi calling is a tacit admission that T-Mobile’s network, despite improvements, still can’t match those of AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Many T-Mobile customers go to the company’s support forums to complain of poor reception at home and elsewhere, despite T-Mobile coverage maps indicating that they should receive good quality.

All carriers have coverage problems that can be exacerbated in rural areas, but studies show that on average T-Mobile lags behind AT&T and Verizon -- though not Sprint. Wi-Fi calling should improve reliability in regions with poor cellular coverage. It won't help prepaid T-Mobile customers manage calling limits, though. T-Mobile's current postpaid plans include unlimited minutes, and customers on older postpaid plans with limited minutes will be given unlimited Wi-Fi calling. Wi-Fi calls do count against minutes for prepaid customers, though.