When should I turn on data for 8x8 Work for Mobile?

When should I turn on data for 8x8 Work for Mobile?

Question

When should I turn on data for 8x8 Work for Mobile?

Applies To

  • 8x8 Work for Mobile

Answer

8x8 Work for Mobile offers the ability for users to use Wi-Fi or Cellular Data for voice calls and meetings. Cellular Data operates differently depending on the platform and should be turned on or off depending on how the user wants their call routed.

Android

Cellular Data On

If cellular data is on and the call is connected through Wi-Fi, when the user leaves the Wi-Fi coverage area, the call will automatically switch to cellular data.

Cellular Data Off

If cellular data is off and the call is connected through Wi-Fi, when the user leaves the Wi-Fi coverage area, the call will automatically drop.

iOS

Cellular Data On

If there is an active cellular data connection 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 out to the Cellular Data network without any user intervention.

Cellular Data Off

If cellular data is off and the call is connected through Wi-Fi, when the user leaves the Wi-Fi coverage area, the call will automatically drop.

Using Carrier Minutes

There are cases, where it is not desirable for users to make voice calls over Cellular Data, for example:

  1. Cellular Data coverage near the user’s area is flaky and weak
  2. Cellular Data is expensive

In these cases, users may choose to enable the Cellular Assist feature which lets users make calls using Carrier Minutes (similar to normal voice calls through native dialer) for their outbound/inbound call.

Carrier minutes settings should be used only in the above-mentioned situations where the use of Cellular Data is not desirable. Note that calls with carrier minutes still require an active internet connection (Wi-Fi/Cellular Data) to initialize the call, but bandwidth with the actual audio is consumed from the carrier minutes.

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 the chance of call drop.

Network used for Call

Call UI

Call Quality

Call Drop

Wi-Fi

In App

High (Wideband Codec)

If the user allows Cellular Data for calls and the user moves out of the 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 network interface to hand outcalls to.

Cellular Data

In App

High (Wideband Codec)

Depends on Cellular Data coverage. Automatic switching back to a Wi-Fi network will happen as soon as the network is detected.

Carrier Minutes

Native Dialer

Low (Same as your personal calls using native dialer)

Same as with your personal calls using your native dialer.


    • Related Articles

    • 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 ...

    • 8x8 Work for Mobile Calls on Data Mode Drops

      Symptom While on a phone call using the 8x8 Work for Mobile app in data mode, a call in to the cell phone's direct phone number (DID) forces the 8x8 Work for Mobile call to drop. Applies To 8x8 Work for Mobile Resolution Use Cellular Assist so that ...

    • Handling 8x8 Work for Mobile Calls Over Cellular Service Instead of Data

      Objective Enable Cellular Assist in order to use Cellular Data (minutes) instead of Mobile Data (Wi-Fi or 3G/4G/5G) if internet coverage is unreliable. Applies To 8x8 Work for Mobile Cellular Data Mobile Data Procedure If both cellular data and ...

    • Cellular Assist Not Working in 8x8 Work for Mobile

      Symptom Cellular calls do not complete properly when using the 8x8 Work for Mobile app. Applies To 8x8 Work for Mobile Resolution Check your settings to ensure cellular calling is properly configured. Android Open 8x8 Work for Mobile. Tap on your ...

    • Moving a Call from the 8x8 Work for Mobile app to Your Mobile Phone

      Objective Manually switch a call in progress from the 8x8 Work for Mobile app to your mobile phone if you are experiencing less reliable Wi-Fi or data coverage. Applies To 8x8 Work for Mobile Procedure Transfer the call to your cell phone from 8x8 ...