MANILA, Philippines — PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. is expanding its network coverage and improving call quality with WiFi calling service.

Smart started yesterday the commercial rollout of its Voice-over-Wifi (VoWiFi) or WiFi calling service which will enable its customers to experience extended network coverage and enhanced call quality. VoWiFi or WiFi calling allows customers to make and receive calls and text messages over any WiFi connection using their smartphone’s native dialer, without having to install another app.

Calls made with VoWiFi will be charged against the customer’s active subscription.

For customers without an active subscription, local and international voice and text rates will apply.

Smart said VoWiFi will initially be available to Smart Signature and Infinity customers.

“Apart from improved calling and messaging experience, WiFi calling also offers extended network coverage, as customers can make and receive voice calls, as well as video calls, wherever there is any WiFi connection,” Smart said.

“High-definition call quality will be experienced when both caller and receiving party are on VoWiFi,” it said.

Smart is partnering with device manufacturers in making more VoWiFi-capable handsets available, such as the Samsung S20 series, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, Huawei Mate 10, Mate 20, Mate 20 Pro, and P30 series, and the TCL PLEX T780H.

Smart said the technology is also available in mid-range Samsung handsets, such as the Samsung Galaxy A series, as well as in Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and newer, Galaxy S8 and newer, and Galaxy Fold.

Last year, Smart increased the number of its LTE base stations by 51 percent compared to end-2018, deploying the stations in more areas of the country.

Underpinning Smart’s network deployment is the continued expansion of PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, which grew by 32 percent versus end-2018 to more than 322,400 kilometers nationwide.

Smart also recently activated Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology across its LTE sites in Metro Manila.

VoLTE is the first, fully IP based carrier grade voice service and uses LTE/4G to transmit voice calls. This is unlike the current setup, where users shift from the 4G network to 2G or 3G mobile networks in order to make a voice call.