Definition

• A Wi-Fi cellphone contains separate radios inside it that allow it to operate on your cellphone provider's network, as well as on available Wi-Fi networks. It can transition between the two services while you're on a call, without losing or interrupting your call, using VoIP -- Voice over Internet Protocol. A synonym for "cellphone" is "mobile phone," and this technology makes it much easier for you to be mobile with your phone. For example, if you start a call outside, where your phone has clear signal from nearby cell towers, but then move indoors, a Wi-Fi phone can transition your call to the available Wi-Fi network in the building -- so you don't have a dropped call due to poor cellular signal inside.
  
  

Other Uses

• Most Wi-Fi-capable cellphones have Internet browsers installed or available for use on them. As long as you've got a successful Wi-Fi connection, you can browse the Internet, check your email, and sometimes even watch videos or listen to streaming Internet radio on your phone. Note that if you move out of range of the Wi-Fi network to which you're connected, your ability to do these things will cease until you're in range again -- unless you've got a 3G or 4G data connection on your phone as well. Then, when your Wi-Fi signal is unavailable, your phone will automatically send and receive data over your available cellphone provider's network instead.
  
  

Considerations

• To use Wi-Fi, you must first search for available Wi-Fi signals in the area. Some businesses, such as coffee shops, restaurants and hotels, offer free Wi-Fi to customers. Free Wi-Fi connections may or may not require a password for use; if you're not sure whether or not the Wi-Fi signal you're trying to use requires one, try connecting to it. If it needs a password, it will prompt you to enter the appropriate password. Someone who works at the facility offering free Wi-Fi should be able to provide you with the current password. Most Wi-Fi phones will offer to save the password for you for future access.
  
  

Warning

• Just like cellphone signals, Wi-Fi signals vary in strength. Different phones have different ways of displaying how strong your available signal is. Check your phone's user manual to find out how your particular model displays this information. Your phone's Wi-Fi will only work in areas where there's a Wi-Fi signal to which you have access -- whether it's password-protected or not. If you travel in an area where you have no available cellphone or Wi-Fi signal, you won't be able to make any calls or access the Internet.