Use Wi-Fi for Calling Via Optus Talk App (Optus Customers Only)

Lepicttiimm on 12/08/2015 - 08:11
Last edited 12/08/2015 - 09:21 by 1 other user

Moved to Forum: Original Link

Use your Optus number to Call/Text via WiFi! First for any telco in Australia.

According to the app description:
Make and receive calls+texts using any WiFi with this app. It works even with no Celluar connection when using wifi. You use your Optus number, and the recipient doesn't know the difference. You can call all numbers, mobile/landline and international which are charged to your mobile bill as part of inclusions on your plan. Works with postpaid, prepaid, and business plans.

Great for me because I live in a place with limited reception. It worked when I tried it last night; I put my phone on airplane mode and turned on wifi. Could call my mate living in Sydney. At least I can still call/text without paying a premium for Telstra in my area. It doesn't work overseas or with Optus MNVOs like Vaya, Amaysim, etc. from what I've tried.

Don't know whether this is a deal, but it seems like it for me. If it isn't mods feel free to move to forums.

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Comments

  • cretin on 12/08/2015 - 08:18
    +2

    Does it have to be wifi? What if I have somehow ended up with a ton of telstra 4g data. Can I just put that sim in my phone and use the data connection to make calls from my Optus mobile number?

    Edit: is this also valid for prepaid customers?

    • ronnknee on 12/08/2015 - 09:14
      -2

      FREE Wi-Fi Calling Via Optus Talk App (Optus Customers Only)

      Also on Android (not sure about iPhones or others), you can restrict data usage of apps to WiFi only so that accidental heavy usage of mobile can be prevented.

    • Lukian on 12/08/2015 - 09:25
      +1

      Put your Telstra sim in a hotspot capable device, done!

  • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 08:19
    +2

    Tried many times last night and this morning but this refuses to activate (on my home wifi LAN) - multiple different errors:

    "network issues are preventing completion of the process…."

    "Oops. Looks like there's an issue registering"

    Seems to be broken, for me at least.

    Also takes an age to load.

    [Edit] now its failing even before sending me a validation code. I give up.

  • kirt on 12/08/2015 - 08:21
    +8

    So you use wifi instead of the mobile phone network to make calls etc…they are still charged at your normal rate - which part is free (just the app?)?

    • ronnknee on 12/08/2015 - 09:15

      I just realised this. This deal is pretty useless for most people then.

      • NosDan on 12/08/2015 - 15:12

        The calls you make and text messages you send using WiFi Talk will be charged to your mobile bill with the same inclusions and rates as your normal mobile rate

        so yea it uses the much cheaper (almost free) internet while still charging you the much much higher mobile rates. talk about a con job.

        really only good if you happen to be outside of mobile service while still having ADSL

  • tf323 on 12/08/2015 - 08:24
    +1

    What's the point?

    • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 08:25
      +1

      For when you are somewhere with no cellular coverage but a wifi signal.

    • Davo1111 on 12/08/2015 - 08:29
      +1

      If it service hits off/develops, they'll prioritise calls through wifi rather than cellular, saving them money and network saturation issues.

  • delfredo on 12/08/2015 - 08:27
    +2

    Why not just use whatsapp to call and msg? (If not calling landline) Most of us have this app anyway.

    • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 08:29
      +1

      Because with this you can call the actual phone number (if it ever actually allows you to register). WA and Facetime are fine for your friends but not if you want to call a store or an airline or anywhere else.

      • delfredo on 12/08/2015 - 09:52

        Thats true.

  • 17833 on 12/08/2015 - 08:29

    http://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobile/network/coverage/wi-fi-t… Optus landing page with info and link to android app.

    • BluBoy on 12/08/2015 - 11:28

      I dont understand why this wouldn't work from overseas WiFi.
      I'm travelling soon, and would love to use this so people can call my normal number, and I can call them.
      By banning the OS WiFi, it means I'll just ditch my optus SIM and purchase an international SIM when I'm there.

      Surely it is better for Optus if I use up my plans allowance, than not use it at all.

      Anyone able to confirm this is actually blocked, and if a VPN is a possible workaround?

      • machej on 12/08/2015 - 22:20

        An Australian VPN should definitely work. Also gives extra protection if on an unsecured wi-fi network.

  • Davo1111 on 12/08/2015 - 08:30
    +10

    The calls you make and text messages you send using WiFi Talk will be charged to your mobile bill with the same inclusions and rates as your normal mobile rate plan.

    Not free, sorry dude

    • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 08:32

      Charged at the same rate as normal calls on your plan. So if you have an unlimited plan the calls will be free.

      • Davo1111 on 12/08/2015 - 13:26
        +1

        There is still no "saving" if you have unlimited calls.

        • ifuggedxyz on 12/08/2015 - 13:54

          You will save a lot of hassles if you're in an area with poor coverage :)

    • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 09:27
      +7

      So you can call your bank or pizza takeaway or favourite restaurant with iMessage or whatsapp? That's pretty cool.

        • slinkster on 12/08/2015 - 15:24
          +5

          Don't get abusive because you can't understand the point of this.

        • xsacha on 13/08/2015 - 22:21

          @Gavman:
          For inside buildings or homes without much reception.
          Sometimes it isn't the carriers fault but the dodgy $90 quad-core android phone you bought from Mr. Ali.

  • hongd on 12/08/2015 - 08:44

    Same question. Does it work for any data network? E.g. if overseas using 3rd party data

  • cretin on 12/08/2015 - 08:44
    +2

    All you people making comments about third party apps that do this, clearly you don't understand the implication of why this I'd great. All those third party apps require the person your communicating with to also be on that service.

    Im not sure how authentication for this wifi service works, but this could potentially turn your wifi only tablet devices into another phone. Also, for those of us who have two sim cards (work/personal) this would greatly benefit you if you don't have a dual sim phone. And last but not least, all those ozbargainers that scored huge data allowances on the telstra prepaid mbb glitch could potentially ditch their sim for a bit and take advantage of telstra's 4g network from their Optus numbers.

    This is actually a great idea from optus. Anyone negging a new and free service provided by a telco is a (profanity) idiot.

    • punkman on 12/08/2015 - 08:48
      -3

      But it's not free if you need you use your home internet or someone else's to make the call. You pay on other ways.

      It's just covering for a flawed and over congested network

    • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 09:23

      @cretin

      Give up mate. Some people here aren't bothering to read and just don't get it. I tried to explain too.

  • landroverz7 on 12/08/2015 - 08:47
    +7

    Advantages:
    1) Every single Optus SIM Plan or Mobile Plan have unlimited calls/sms so even though it charges your mobile bill who cares you are unlimited.
    2) When you have solid wifi but no celluar reception you can use this to call any Australian landline or mobile number, the receiving person doesn't need to have an app installed like whatsapp/viber etc, they won't even know you are using this app it will come through as a normal call to them.
    3) unlike FaceTime/imessage this will work across android and iOS, like I said no requirements for the receiver they will never know that you are using this app.
    4) Because it works over wifi, there may be a possibility of using a VPN when you are overseas and using this to call your aussie friends/family with your number provided a VPN is enough to trick this to work.

    Now for the disadvantages:
    1) It charges your mobile bill so if you are prepaid be careful.
    2) Its not built into the iPhone like wifi calling is in the US, it's another seperate app which is annoying.
    3) The app is not activating at the moment.
    4) It will not work with Optus MNVO
    5) And for the windows users, you are left out.

    Hope this helps

  • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 08:54
    +1

    I see the point. It's a way for Optus to charge for voice calls at the same rate as Optus would have charged had the call been made over its network, without actually providing the network to make the calls.

    Smart.

  • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 08:59

    Does it work outside Australia?

    Say I am in Singapore in a hotel with free wifi and I want to voice call someone in AU not on the usual WhatsApp / Viber / Skype etc.

    Say I have an Optus mobile plan at home but can't use that in Singapore without incurring global roaming charges. Can I use this app to call those AU numbers from the app and only pay off my Optus plan without global roaming charges? What happens if they call me back? Can I receive their call through the app without incurring roaming charges, or do I have to initiate the call?

    • ryanhunt on 12/08/2015 - 09:14

      I'd be interested to see if an Optus customer with a VPN service could try this.

      • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 09:24

        It clearly states in the app and was stated earlier in here that it doe not work outside Australia

        • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 09:50
          +2

          That's a shame. But sometimes things do work in places where they are said not to work …

        • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 10:33

          I wonder if it would work if you were overseas and had an Australian VPN connection to say your corporate network back home in Aus

        • stebie on 12/08/2015 - 15:29

          @davedave: This should work, unless the app uses/requires GPS to physically locate you. That's purely speculation on my part as I've not looked at the apps.

  • damnable on 12/08/2015 - 09:00

    This actually sounds like it might be handy.
    I'm heading to the US for a holiday soon and it looks like I might still be able to receive text messages to my phone while it has a US SIM in it. Provided I have access to Wifi of course.

  • dave12113 on 12/08/2015 - 09:00

    Another similar service is skype-out. Make calls from anywhere in the world over data, to any phone number… Connection cost charged to your Skype credit.

    • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 09:11

      Or WhatsApp or Viber or Google Hangouts or others - they all offer plans you pay for and get credit to call phone numbers of people not on their app

  • Ughhh on 12/08/2015 - 09:10

    So basically the app is free and it's free to use your own Wi-Fi in place of optus' cellular network to make calls. But the actual call itself is not free at all.

    • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 09:12

      Yes I think that is correct as I said above - It's a way for Optus to charge for voice calls at the same rate as Optus would have charged had the call been made over its network, without actually providing the network to make the calls.

  • ithakiman on 12/08/2015 - 09:11

    its not free you still get charged to your mobile plan

    • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 09:15
      +1

      I think the title is misleading

      FREE Wi-Fi Calling Via Optus Talk App

      The App is free. The calling is not. Suggest rewording to something like:

      Free Optus Talk app to enable calling at regular Optus mobile charge rates

      • davedave on 12/08/2015 - 09:48

        Title has now been changed, and the "deal" has moved to the forum. Thanks

  • Food on 12/08/2015 - 09:19

    FREE

    Small cost of your regular call rate applies

  • cdemarco on 12/08/2015 - 09:22
    +2

    Optus should have worked on VoLTE instead of this.

  • damnable on 12/08/2015 - 09:29

    Pay Optus for the call. In my case I also pay Telstra for the internet connection.

  • gadgetguy on 12/08/2015 - 09:30
    +1

    It's hilarious getting negged for providing useful and accurate information. When idiots who do not bother to read the OP or the thread get positives for disinformation.

    Okay I'm leaving you all to it now.

    • stemcell on 12/08/2015 - 09:56
      +1

      gadgetguy the site if full of morons who just don't have a clue, it's a shame natural selection has failed.

  • sajidmib on 12/08/2015 - 09:46

    iOS 9 will have this supported without a need for app once your telco start supporting it, will be a seamless process, one will not have to keep 2 seperate call lists and text messages …

    • Gavman on 12/08/2015 - 11:20

      This will be the death of call rates and charges

      • sajidmib on 12/08/2015 - 11:38

        na its helping in reception which is helpful for both telco and customer

        they will charge from your allowance which is unlimited so dont worry if prepaid then it will take the credit for normal call and your phone number will appear, other than that FaceTime and Facebook Messenger calls can be used phone to phone as an alternatives.

  • daver on 12/08/2015 - 13:43

    Uggh an app, dependant upon WiFi has no dialer integration and one which reminds me of a Telco number when its utilized. Nor of which can compete w/Skype status, and presence features, no? ..plainawfull then.

  • 2big4u on 12/08/2015 - 17:50

    For those that run out of credit and want to make free calls to mobile/landline use Tap4call
    link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a011now

    It allows y to make calls using credit which u can get for free (easily rack up 15 min worth by downloading apps then deleting them)

    Handy when u run out of credit and manage to get wifi from nearby maccas.

    so far have $1.50 free credit and rates are 1.9c cents pm landline and 15c pm for mobile

    :)

  • andylch on 13/08/2015 - 10:23

    Your Optus SIM must be inserted to the phone in order to open the app. However, I wonder whether it still can work in overseas if I restrict the app from accessing my location by "permission manager".

  • nagel on 15/08/2015 - 14:34

    Im on optus $2/day, would I be charged when I receive calls with this app?

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