Ukrainian telco Kyivstar announced that it’s launching voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) services for eligible subscribers, enabling them to make calls via Wi-Fi access points in locations with weak mobile signals.
VoWiFi – also known as Wi-Fi calling – leverages the Generic Access Network (GAN) protocol that enables seamless connectivity between cellular networks and LAN technologies such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Kyivstar said customers can use the VoWiFi service to make cellular voice calls in areas where the mobile network signal is weak or unstable, particularly for indoor locations like basements, buildings with thick walls, basements and high-rise floors where signal penetration may be weak but Wi-Fi is likely to be available.
Kyivstar also said calls using VoWiFi will be billed as regular voice calls.
The service will initially be available only to Kyivstar mobile customers who also subscribe to the telco’s Home Internet broadband service – provided they are also iPhone users whose iPhones support iOS 17 and higher.
Kyivstar said it plans to eventually extend the service to its mobile customers who subscribe to rival broadband service providers. It also said the list of smartphones with VoWiFi support in its network will also be expanded.