Overview
Pickle Wi-Fi Calling & SMS allows mobile phones to make and receive calls and text messages over a Wi-Fi network when mobile signal is weak or unavailable.
In strata buildings, this is most effective when used in common areas only, such as basements, car parks, plant rooms, offices, and shared facilities — not inside private apartments.
This solution uses your existing mobile number and managed Wi-Fi network to improve day-to-day communications without installing mobile carrier equipment.
How Wi-Fi Calling works in a strata building
When a compatible mobile phone connects to a Wi-Fi network:
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Calls and SMS automatically route over Wi-Fi if mobile signal is poor
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The user keeps their normal mobile number
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No special app is required
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Phones switch automatically between mobile and Wi-Fi calling
If the user moves back into an area with good mobile coverage, the phone switches back seamlessly.
Where Wi-Fi Calling works best in strata buildings
Wi-Fi Calling is ideal for shared and operational areas, including:
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Basement car parks
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Building management offices
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Common corridors and lobbies
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Plant rooms and service areas
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Shared staff workspaces
These are areas where mobile signal is often unreliable but Wi-Fi coverage can be planned and managed.
What Wi-Fi Calling is not designed for
Wi-Fi Calling is not suitable for:
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🚫 Emergency lift phones
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🚫 Fire panels, alarms, or safety systems
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🚫 Guaranteed mobile coverage throughout an entire building
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🚫 Private apartments or resident units
Emergency and compliance-critical systems must use dedicated, purpose-built solutions.
Common strata scenarios and the right approach
Basement car parks often suffer from poor mobile reception due to concrete and underground positioning. In these areas, extending managed Wi-Fi access points and enabling Wi-Fi Calling provides a practical and cost-effective improvement for staff and contractors.
Lift emergency communications must always use a dedicated lift phone service designed to meet safety and regulatory requirements. Wi-Fi Calling must never be used as a substitute.
If a building requires consistent mobile signal everywhere (including inside apartments), this usually requires a carrier-led solution such as a Distributed Antenna System (DAS), which involves higher cost and coordination with mobile carriers.
For caretakers, strata managers, and onsite staff working in common areas, Wi-Fi Calling offers reliable voice and SMS using the building’s Wi-Fi, without changing devices or numbers.
Coverage inside private apartments remains the responsibility of individual residents and depends on their own internet service, Wi-Fi setup, and mobile provider.
Requirements for Wi-Fi Calling in common areas
To use Wi-Fi Calling effectively in a strata building:
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A stable fixed internet service
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Managed Wi-Fi access points covering common areas
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Compatible mobile devices with Wi-Fi Calling enabled
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Up-to-date device software
Pickle designs Wi-Fi coverage to prioritise reliability and signal strength, which is critical for call quality.
Pricing and usage
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No additional charge from Pickle for Wi-Fi Calling itself
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Calls and SMS are billed the same as normal mobile usage
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When used over Pickle-provided fixed internet, Wi-Fi Calling traffic is not separately metered
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Mobile plans and inclusions still apply
Important limitations to understand
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Wi-Fi Calling depends on Wi-Fi quality — poor Wi-Fi equals poor call quality
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Public Wi-Fi and heavily restricted corporate networks may not support Wi-Fi Calling
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Not all older devices support Wi-Fi Calling or Wi-Fi SMS
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Wi-Fi Calling does not provide emergency location information in the same way as mobile networks
What Pickle recommends
Pickle recommends a layered connectivity approach for strata buildings:
Use managed Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Calling to improve everyday communications in common areas and basements.
Use dedicated emergency lift phone solutions for all lift and safety systems.
Only consider carrier-led mobile coverage solutions where full-building mobile coverage is a formal requirement.
This approach balances safety, reliability, cost, and clear responsibility boundaries between strata infrastructure and resident services.
Need help assessing your building?
Pickle can assess your strata building and recommend the right mix of:
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Managed Wi-Fi for common areas
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Wi-Fi Calling readiness
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Emergency lift phone solutions
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Clear separation between strata and resident responsibilities
Contact Pickle to arrange a site review or speak with a specialist.