"Vietnam telco, MobiFone Corporation, has become the first telecommunications services provider in Vietnam to launch a Wi-Fi calling service. To support the service, named WiTalk, MobiFone is using Taqua's Virtual Mobile Core (VMC), and mobile client to enable Wi-Fi Calling on Android smartphones that do not have native dialer support for Wi-Fi calling.
The service enables MobiFone subscribers to make phone calls and send text messages over any Wi-Fi network in the same way as they do when using the standard cellular network. As a result, subscribers can receive high quality voice and messaging services in the places they spend most of their time, such as at home and the office.
Taqua says its approach to Wi-Fi calling is transparent to subscribers as it enables them to continue using the native dialer app, contacts app, call history and voice mail on their handset when connected to Wi-Fi or the cellular network.
To activate the new WiTalk service, MobiFone subscribers can download WiTalk by MobiFone from the Google Play Store. Also, when traveling out of country, MobiFone subscribers can text and make calls over Wi-Fi networks with lower call tariffs, rather than using regular international roaming services. In addition, these traveling MobiFone subscribers will not be charged for receiving calls by using WiTalk.
Mr Nam Bui Son, Deputy Managing Director of MobiFone, said: ""We chose Taqua because we wanted to come to market fast, and because they have a proven track record in deploying Wi-Fi calling with Tier 1 mobile operators around the world. After our evaluation of vendors, we turned to Taqua and they were able to very quickly integrate their system into our core network and complete our rigorous trial.""
He added: ""With the completion of this trial, we have now begun to roll out the commercial service offering to our subscriber base. In the near future we hope to extend WiTalk to overseas Vietnamese.""
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