InTouch is a new iPhone and Android app which lets Three mobile network users make and receive calls, and send and receive text messages, over WiFi when network coverage is poor.
I’ve been using the app for the past week and am pleased to report it’s been designed to be as simple and intuitive to set-up and use as possible:
1) download it from the app store,
2) decide whether to let it import your contacts,
3) carry out a one-time registration while you’ve got 3G or 4G coverage
4) choose a WiFi network to use it with.
Once these simple steps are complete you’ll be able to use your phone indoors without having to worry about the signal level in your home or office ever again.
All outbound calls and texts come from your standard Three mobile number and incoming calls and messages are automatically routed to the app when mobile coverage is lacking.
And, possibly best of all, calls and texts come out of your standard allowances so there’s no additional charges or bundles to be bought.
Call quality is largely down to the strength of your WiFi and you can set the app to work with multiple WiFi networks including, the network says, the London Underground network which Three customers recently got access to.
The small snag is that messages end up being spread between your phone’s default messaging app and InTouch which can be messy when you’re back in signal and want to reply to a message delivered to Three’s app.
But that seems a small price to pay for ensuring you’re reachable and that callers aren’t going to reach your voicemail when you’re sitting around waiting for their call.