Uber rolls out the VoIP feature to communicate with drivers through the company’s app. A handy feature which hit the international markets back in October is finally available in India. This could prove cost-effective when you don’t have a sufficient call balance on the registered number. So, you still have the option to make regular voice calls using the cellular network.
Why do you need VoIP calling in Uber?
The key intent, as you guessed is to keep both party’s respective phone numbers private. When you make a VoIP call through the app, your contact details aren’t shown to the driver. Same will be the case when your driver makes a VoIP call to you. In both cases, you as the caller would be simply identified as “Uber”.
This could prove useful especially if you’re traveling abroad and don’t have a local SIM or international roaming. Interestingly, this new communication feature works both ways. which is to say that just like you, your cab driver can also make free calls to you.
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The key intent, as you guessed is to keep both party’s respective phone numbers private. When you make a VoIP call through the app, your contact details aren’t shown to the driver. Same will be the case when your driver makes a VoIP call to you. In both cases, you as the caller would be simply identified as “Uber”.
Another incentive for drivers would be that it allows them to stay within the Uber app when coordinating pickups with passengers.
Uber users reported the new update via their twitter handles.
During its global launch, Gagan Mac, product manager for communications at Uber said, “Data calling is now much cheaper than voice calling” in certain markets. With the advent of Jio and recent telecom disruption, there has been a surge in the number of people having active data connections in their handsets.
How does Uber Free Calling work?
You could use the new VoIP feature and call the other person by following these steps:
- Tap the calling button after booking your cab
- Next, hit the Free Call option from the pop-up screen.
- If you haven’t already, you would be asked to grant permission for accessing the microphone of your device.
- Once the permission is given, the call starts and your driver’s name would be displayed on the screen.
- Similar to a standard call screen, you’ll see a call timer and dedicated controls to mute the audio, turn on the speaker or end the call.
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You may note that this new feature is exclusive to the original Uber app and not Uber Eats and other services.
