Three inTouch Wi-Fi calling service launches on Android and iOS

Last month, Three started trials of its new Wi-Fi calling service called inTouch. Today that service goes live for Android and iOS users, and it can already be downloaded now so you’ll be ready to go immediately!

inTouch allows Three customers to make and receive calls, as well as send and receive text messages, using Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network.

This means you can remain in contact even when you have no mobile phone signal, including on most London Underground, stations, thanks to the recent addition of access to the Virgin Media Wi-Fi network.

Of course, the most likely usage will be at home or work, plus other indoor locations where mobile phone signals rarely penetrate.

Calls and texts will use the existing monthly call/text allowance, or prepaid credit as applicable.

Unlike VoIP services like Skype or Viber, you can call or text any number just as if you were calling direct from the Three network.

The app is free to download and there’s no additional cost to use it, unless you’re subject to any usage costs on the Wi-Fi service you’re connected to.

inTouch allows you to select which Wi-Fi services you wish to use with the service, and Three states data usage consumption averages around 0.7MB per minute. Call quality will vary depending on the speed of the Wi-Fi connection.

Download the app:

• inTouch (iOS 6 and above)
• inTouch (Android 4.0 and above)

Note: Unless a user has already been provisioned for the service (such as being accepted on to the trial), new users will not be able to activate the app until later today. Assuming everything goes to plan that is!

Trial users were told that Three hopes to extend inTouch to work abroad in the future, although no indication of any date has yet been given.

EE also intends to launch a similar Wi-Fi calling service later in 2014, while O2 already has a service called TU Go.

There’s no word yet of a version of inTouch for other platforms, such as Windows Phone.