Question about the app Viber

Dimitri

Member
I'm a weirdo who's never had a smartphone and will be getting one soon so I've been reading about apps that I should be using and I read about Viber. It was presented as "a mobile messenger app that allows users to make phone calls and send text messages for free."

Now, my question is, what's the catch. How do cell phone companies stay in business if this thing can do that? I assume it does it over the internet, so I'd figure people would just need internet access on their phones if this thing can do that.
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Basically looks like its a messenger app like yahoo messenger that you could send messages and call them, messenger app really. Most messenger apps can do this anyway. Most cell companies allow wifi calling which means you can use your cell phone to make calls over wifi when signal stregth isn't the greatest.
 

Deadpool

Active Member
WhatsApp is the most famous app when it comes to that. Phone companies still charge you for your LTE, which you'll need to use this apps when you are not on Wi-Fi.
 

Dimitri

Member
So does no one make calls and send text messages the normal way any more? Is it cheaper to do a call this way, where you're charged just for the internet data transfer, or the traditional way?

WhatsApp is the most famous app when it comes to that. Phone companies still charge you for your LTE, which you'll need to use this apps when you are not on Wi-Fi.

Can WhatsApp do calls?

LTE is data sent over internet and Wi-Fi is a direct network with another phone?
 

Deadpool

Active Member
You can call with WhatsApp yes. I did not understand your last question but this is what those things are.

Wi-Fi is a wireless internet connection. It's like Ethernet without cables. It comes from a particular router and has a limited range (or at least more limited than LTE), but it's usually faster and more stable than LTE. The range is only a few feet, like 100 or so.

LTE is just like 3G and 2G but faster. It's like a Wi-Fi connection but with worldwide range. Usually slower, less stable and more expensive. This is mainly how phone companies make money nowadays. They charge you for internet plans (your phone also limits the networks you can use, not all of them have LTE support, some have only 3G support), since you need to have internet connection to use this apps when you are not home and have no access to a Wi-Fi connection. It's almost the same, instead of paying for every message, you pay for the ability to send limitless messages -almost- everywhere.

People really don't use regular messages anymore, at least in my country. The same doesn't go for calls. Since calls require using more data and the delay matters a lot, and the networks in my country are disgusting, almost no one calls via the internet, unless you are both on Wi-Fi.
 

Agent Smith

Well-Known Member
LTE, 4G, 3G are protocols (for lack of the proper word atm) used from the cell tower.

WIFI is a specification that is used with a router at your house for example, or at a coffee shop where they have a so-called "hot spot."

So if you want Internet everywhere you need to rely on LTE or 4G. If you're at a restaurant or some place that offers WIFI, you can use that. But I wouldn't unless you have a VPN. And at that, make sure the VPN is connected before you switch to the WIFI hotspot. Otherwise your email, etc is in the clear.
 

beers

Moderator
Staff member
How do cell phone companies stay in business if this thing can do that?
Cellular access has changed a good bit over the years, these days it's all about the data plan. Comparatively, a traditional voice call is a super low amount of data. That's pretty much why you see nearly every plan on the market as unlimited talk and text, but then the price premium is related to the data consumption piece.
 

Dimitri

Member
Thanks for the explanations, fellas!

So I'm assuming a laptop, which I've also never owned, can connect to the internet via a LTE or 4G connection if wifi isn't available.
 

mistersprinkles

Active Member


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Deadpool

Active Member
An, no he wasn't. He should have stated that.

How can you be sure? I didn't say integrated, but I didn't say either "you can't get LTE on any laptop"... I sense there is no point on saying this, if you want to, you are gonna keep this up no matter what I say.
 
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