Facebook has started rolling out a new update for its messenger application available on android and iOS devices which brings the free voice calls support over WiFi or Mobile data connection. This feature was originally rolled out by Facebook last year in March for US and Canada only. But Gradually, it is now being rolled out to many countries.
The free voice call functionality in the Facebook messenger application is powered by the Voice over IP technology, commonly known as VoIP, which as per WikiPedia “is a methodology and group of technologies for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet”.
We tried out the new free calling feature on this Facebook messenger application on an android device and we have to say that call quality was pretty decent on WiFi and 3G network, but not so much while on a 2g network.
To try out this feature just open the chat head of the person you wish to call and press the three vertical dots present on the top right corner of the screen, there you would see the “Free Call” option. (The feature is being rolled out slowly so some users user might not have it yet).
While, Facebook might be referring to it as free call, but it is not entirely free since the Internet is involved and as we know users will still be occurring data charges while using this service via their mobile data connection.
This is not good news for many mobile network operators across the country as this new feature might affect their revenues significantly.
