WiFi calling/recieving questions

[AJS Detroit]

Due to geography the signal strength in my home is very weak because we live in a wooded valley. All of my neighbors complain about not having strong signal regardless of carrier. I am looking for a better job and Google voice with the headset is not cutting it.

I do not currently have a droid phone but I am investigating whether I could set myself up to make and receive calls on a droid phone with a wireless connection or not.

It is most important that I be able to receive calls via the wireless network and that the WiFi connection be strong and not drop connection or break up while I am doing phone interviews for jobs. This issue is my current #1 source of stress and anxiety as it is making looking for jobs in a bad jobs market even more difficult.

Is this as simple as acquiring a decent wireless router and setting it up on the droid phone? How does the cell phone network know how to use the wireless instead of the radio? Will it choose the stronger signal?

Thank you for you help.

 

[rui-no-onna]

Assuming you have decent wired internet connection, how about skip the Wi-Fi and Android phone and use a wired Obihai paired with a normal cordless handset (e.g. Amazon.com: Uniden DECT Silver Cordless Phone System (DECT1480-4))? Or heck, use whatever phone you already have at home.

 

[Crashdamage]

You don't specify your provider but T-Mobile will provide a free home cell signal booster in weak signal areas. I've used one for quite a while. Also, recent T-Mobile phones have WiFi calling built-in.

To use WiFi calling with any phone of course you need a working internet connection and WiFi router.

 

[yuki2012]

I don;t think it was an option.

 

[OfTheDamned]

With an Android phone, a Google Voice account and a solid Wifi connection you can use apps like Groove IP lite (free in Google Play) or Talkatone (Also free) to make and receive calls via your Google Voice number over wifi with no cell service required.

This is how my "home" phone is set up and it works very well.

It is VOIP calling 100% and since you are doing it via an unconventional method it isn't perfect. Depending on your connection you can have echo or delays in the call, but a lot of times nobody can tell the difference. Keep in mind that I am using a 40 Mbps connection (over Wifi) on a 5 Ghz channel so my network speed is wide open. VOIP uses about 1.2 Mb per second in data and if your connection is not very solid it can cause issues.

If you haven't already, I'd also look into Magic Jack as it is only supposed to be $20 a year for VOIP with the equipment you already have.

 

[donec]

With an Android phone, a Google Voice account and a solid Wifi connection you can use apps like Groove IP lite (free in Google Play) or Talkatone (Also free) to make and receive calls via your Google Voice number over wifi with no cell service required.

This is how my "home" phone is set up and it works very well.

How are you setup to receive calls via Groove IP?

I use Groove IP to make calls from my GNote10.1 tablet (works quite well) but don't know how to set up to receive calls.

 

[mikedt]

Assuming the OP is in the States, and he's using one of the major carriers like Verizon. Weak signal is the problem but he has home internet. A femtocell might be a solution. Plugs into the internet, and provides wireless carrier coverage right in your home.
Something like this...
Verizon Wireless Network Extender | Verizon Wireless

 

[saptech]

How are you setup to receive calls via Groove IP?

I use Groove IP to make calls from my GNote10.1 tablet (works quite well) but don't know how to set up to receive calls.

People would call the google voice number.

 

[Kinolay]

People would call the google voice number.

There is also an app called GrooVe Forwarder that can be used to automatically forward incoming calls to your cell number to GrooVe IP.