Data and Network Overview for 8x8 Work for Mobile
Overview
8x8 Work for Mobile provides ways for users to select the
network that should be used for voice calls, through Settings > Data
and Network Options (for more details on turning cellular data on and
off, see Handling
8x8 Work for Mobile Calls Over Cellular Service Instead of Data).
By default, Wi-Fi and Cellular Data are both allowed for
voice calls. If Wi-Fi is available and usable, the application always prefers
it over Cellular Data for voice calls. As of now, there is no setting to
disable the usage of Wi-Fi for the calls.
Applies To
- 8x8 Work for Mobile
- Cellular Data
- Wi-Fi
Effects of Cellular Data-Enabled or Disabled
If voice calls are allowed on Cellular Data and the
user makes a call when connected to Wi-Fi and then moves out of the Wi-Fi
coverage area, the call is automatically handed to the Cellular Data network
without any user intervention. Or if the user is not connected to a Wi-Fi
network, the call is placed on the Cellular Data network.
If the user prefers not to use Cellular Data because of the
cost involved or any other reason, they can choose to disable it through the
settings. If the user decided to not allow Cellular Data for calls, then their
ongoing calls over Wi-Fi would drop as soon as the user goes out of
the Wi-Fi coverage area, as there would not be any way for 8x8 Work
for Mobile to continue with the call. Though in such cases, the application
does provide the feedback that Cellular Data is disabled for calls and the user
should enable Cellular Data.
Data and Network Options settings only affect the network
selection for voice calls. Other services like Chat messages, Meetings, or
Notifications always use available network Wi-Fi or Cellular Data and are not
controlled by Data and Network Options settings.
Cellular Assist
There are cases, where it is not desirable for a user to
make voice calls over Cellular Data, for example:
- Cellular Data is expensive.
- Cellular Data coverage near the user’s area is flaky and weak.
In these cases, users may choose to enable the Cellular
Assist feature which lets users make calls using Cellular Minutes (similar to
normal voice calls through native dialer) for their outbound/inbound call using
8x8 Work for Mobile. When the cellular assist feature is in effect, the iOS or
Android native dialer is used to make/receive calls and hence all mid-call
features are limited to native dialer mid-call features. If the user wants
to use rich mid-call features provided within 8x8 Work for Mobile, the user
should allow calls using Cellular Data instead. Cellular Assist settings should
be used only in the above-mentioned situations where the use of Cellular Data
is not desirable.
|
|
Note: Though calls are made using native dialer, 8x8 ensures that to the other party of the call, the user's work number is presented and never reveals their personal number. |
The table below summarizes the relationship between the
network selected for the call and user experience with respect to UI, call
quality, and chance of call drop.
|
Network used for Call |
Call UI |
Call Quality |
Call Drop |
|
Wi-Fi |
In App |
High (Wideband Codec) |
If the user allowed Cellular Data for calls and the user moves out of Wi-Fi coverage area, the call is automatically handed over to Cellular Data without the user taking any action. If the user has not allowed Cellular Data for the calls and the user moves out of the Wi-Fi coverage area, call drops as there is no interface to hand out the call to. |
|
Cellular Data |
In App |
High (Wideband Codec) |
Depends on Cellular Data coverage. |
|
Cellular Minutes |
Native Dialer |
Low (Same as your personal calls using native dialer) |
Same as with your personal calls using your native dialer. |
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