EE pay monthly customers are now able to make and receive calls through their Amazon Echo and compatible Alexa-enabled devices. All you need is the Alexa app on your smartphone and you can answer calls hands-free by simply saying “Alexa answer”.
Already, fans of Amazon’s smart speaker range can use it to make calls to people on their contacts list who also have an Alexa device, whether that’s an Echo Dot, Echo Show or the larger Echo speaker, over Wi-Fi. However, this new partnership between EE opens up the service to a lot more people.
Contacts will be synced between your EE smartphone and your Amazon Echo, so chatty AI assistant Alexa will be able to tell you exactly who is calling. For example, Alexa will say “incoming call from mum” when she’s calling. To take the call – and frankly, this close to Mother’s Day you really cannot afford to send her to voicemail – you can say “Alexa, answer” to start the call through their Alexa device.
You’ll be able to answer the call – or make them – from the Amazon Echo even if your phone isn’t nearby or has run out of battery.
EE customers’ smartphone and their Alexa device will ring simultaneously when someone calls, so you’ll have the option to answer on either devices when at home. If you don’t have a contact or local business in your mobile phone address book, you’ll still be able to speak the full mobile or landline number out loud to Alexa to initiate the call.
Interestingly, you can add all the family’s numbers to your Alexa devices as long as they’re all in the same Amazon.
Speaking about the partnership, EE’s director of partnerships, devices, and business development Sharon Meadows, said:
“We’re always looking for ways to offer customers excited new products and experiences, and by working with Amazon we’re enabling them to make and receive mobile calls hands-free on their Alexa devices for the first time.
“We’re creating one converged, smart network to keep our customers seamlessly connected to their friends, family and the things that matter most.”
Brian Oliver, Director of Alexa Communications. added:
“Customers use Alexa every day to help them stay connected with loved ones around the world,”
“Today, in collaboration with EE, we are thrilled that customers are now able to make and receive EE calls with Alexa, making it even easier to stay in touch.”
The service is easy to set-up, free and all EE customers need is their Alexa device and the Amazon Alexa app on their phone to get started. Unlike Google Home, where calls are free to make, calls on Alexa will be charged from your monthly allowance. If you’ve run out of call allowance, you will be charged at the standard rate.
How to Setup EE calls using Amazon Alexa
If you have an EE pay monthly plan, text ALEXA to 150 and follow these steps once you receive a reply:
- Download and open the Amazon Alexa app
- Select Settings on the left hand menu
- Select Communication
- Tap on EE
- Follow the instructions to link your account
- Select EE as your calling preference
No that you’re setup, it’s really easy. Just use these voice commands:
How to make and Receive EE calls using Amazon Alexa
To make a call: You can say: “Alexa, call” or “Alexa, ring” or “Alexa, make a call” or “Alexa, dial”
To answer a call: You can say: “Alexa, pick up” or “Alexa, answer” or “Alexa, accept”
To end a call: You can say: “Alexa, cancel” or “Alexa, hang up” or “Alexa, close” or “Alexa, stop” or “Alexa, shut off”
Other In-Call commands:
“Alexa, volume up/down”
“Alexa, enter digits”
EE didn’t miss the opportunity to highlight that the company offers a range of Amazon Echo devices through its network of brick-and-mortar EE stores. Pay monthly mobile customers can choose a device and spread the cost over 11 months with Add to Plan, interest-free – they just pay with their phone bill. Plus, if they buy any Amazon Echo device from EE, they’ll receive a £20 discount off their next purchase from a selection of EE’s smart home range.
