Overview
Carrier calling mode allows you to make and receive Spoke Phone calls using your mobile phone's cellular signal, instead of your 4G mobile data (LTE) or WiFi network. You can choose when and how you want to use carrier calling mode, depending on the quality of your current data environment.
This article will show you three different ways of using carrier calling mode to control the quality of your phone calls. It contains the following sections:
- When should carrier calling mode be used?
- How to use carrier calling mode for a specific call you are about to make.
- How to swap to carrier calling mode during a live call.
- How to use carrier calling mode for all inbound and outbound calls.
- More information
When should carrier calling mode be used?
If you find that your call quality is consistently bad, then your data/internet connectivity likely isn't reliable enough to run VoIP calls. The best way to solve this problem is to get an IT professional to properly configure your WiFi for VoIP calling. As an alternative or interim solution, you may want to consider using Spoke Phone in carrier calling mode.
You can choose when and how you want to use carrier calling mode. Carrier calling mode can be used:
- For a specific call, you are about to make.
- During a call.
- For all inbound and outbound calls.
If you choose to make a specific call in carrier calling mode, or if you swap to carrier calling mode during a call, the Spoke Phone app will revert to HD (VoIP) mode after that call ends, so all subsequent calls will be delivered via data.
If you choose to turn on carrier calling mode for all inbound and outbound calls, all your calls will be made and delivered via your mobile phone's voice connection. The call is delivered like a normal phone call, except your mobile phone number will be kept private.
How to use carrier calling mode for a specific call you are about to make.
You can switch to carrier calling for one call you are about to make by popping up the call route screen as you place the call.
The table below shows you how to pop up the call route screen, depending on how you place the call.
| Spoke Phone app location: | How to pop up the call route screen: |
| Dialpad |
Dial a number on the keypad, press and hold the green call button |
| Directory (External/Personal) |
Swipe left on a contact record, press and hold the call button |
| Directory (Contact record) |
Tap to go into a contact record, press and hold the call button |
| Call History (List) |
Swipe left on a call record, then press and hold the call button |
| Call History (Call details) | Tap to view call details, press and hold the call button |
In all the above instances the call route screen will popup allowing you to select carrier mode for this one call.
When the call route screen pops:
- Slide the call quality switch over to carrier.
- Select a number to place the call from (this will be your caller ID).
- This call will be placed using carrier calling mode.
- Your next call will return to HD voice mode automatically.
How to swap to carrier calling mode during a live call for improved call quality (HD Downgrade)
An unstable internet/ mobile data connection can affect your call quality. If this happens while you are on a call, we recommend improving your call quality by downgrading from HD mode to Carrier Calling mode.
- Unlock your phone and go to the Spoke Phone app while on the call.
- Press the fix call quality button.
- The caller will hear a message asking them to wait on the line.
- Your normal mobile will ring and when you answer, you'll be talking to the caller again, but over your mobile phone's cellular signal.
How to use carrier calling mode for all inbound and outbound calls.
To turn on carrier calling mode for all calls:
- Go to the Spoke Phone app.
- Tap the user icon on the bottom menu.
- Set the call quality slider to carrier.
More Information
Carrier calling mode is only available on Spoke Phone mobile.
When on carrier calling mode, users who are on desktop and mobile may notice that only their mobile app rings with call offers. This is expected behavior because the desktop app isn't connected to a mobile network like the mobile phone is.