Is it possible to video call without internet?

With the rise of video calling apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Skype, many people now take for granted the ability to make video calls over the internet. However, there are still times when you may want to make a video call without an internet connection. So is it possible to video call without internet access? The quick answer is yes, it is possible, but it depends on the technology you use.

Making Video Calls Through a Cellular Network

The most straightforward way to video call without internet is to use your cellular network. All modern smartphones are capable of making video calls through regular voice calls on a cellular network. When you make a video call to another phone on the same network, the video is transmitted as data through the cellular connection.

However, there are some downsides to making video calls over a cellular network:

Video quality may not be great, especially if you or the other person has a weak cellular signal.
Video calling may use up your monthly data allotment quickly depending on your plan.
You can only make video calls to other people with phones on the same cellular network.

Overall, making video calls through a cellular network is possible, but it may not always be the best option due to video quality limitations and data usage concerns.

Using Walkie-Talkie Style Devices

Another way to video chat without the internet is to use walkie-talkie style devices with built-in video cameras. Some examples include:

Motorola T800 Talkabout – Has a camera for live video calling up to a range of 35 miles

RemoBell S Video Doorbell – Can make video calls to smartphones without WiFi
GoTenna Mesh – Allows off-grid texting, photo sharing, and video calls between devices up to 4 miles apart

The main benefits of these walkie-talkie style devices are that they create a peer-to-peer mesh network separate from cellular networks and WiFi. However, they are limited by their connectivity range and typically can only connect a small number of users at once.

Using RADIUS Networks

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) networks allow devices to make peer-to-peer video calls without internet. Here’s how they work:

All devices connect to a central RADIUS server through an access point.
The server authenticates the devices and allows them to discover each other.

Once discovered, devices can make direct video calls to each other through the access point without needing wider internet connectivity.

This allows video calling over a closed network in a limited area, like within an office building, airport, or university campus. The advantages of RADIUS for video calling include:

Works across different device types like phones, laptops, tablets.

Enables secure video communication without the internet.
Central server can effectively manage many users and devices.

Overall, setting up a RADIUS system requires technical expertise but can enable robust video calling without regular internet access.

Using a Satellite Phone Connection

Satellite phones can make voice and video calls without ground-based cellular or internet connectivity by communicating directly with satellites in orbit. Here’s how they work for video calling:

The satellite phone connects to a satellite above through its orbiting network.
The video call data is transmitted from the phone to the satellite then back to a ground station.

The ground station connects the call through terrestrial networks to the recipient.

Satellite phone networks like Thuraya, Inmarsat, and Iridium can transmit video call data this way. However, there are some limitations:

Video quality is not great due to limited bandwidth.

Satellite phones are expensive ($500-$1500 for the device).
Satellite network costs are high ($2-$8 per minute).

While satellite video calling is possible, the costs and quality limitations make this method impractical for most everyday users. It is mainly used by people like military personnel, adventurers, and sailors when in extremely remote areas.

Using Amateur Radio (HAM Radio)

It is possible for amateur radio operators (hams) to make slow scan television (SSTV) video transmissions across the airwaves. This analog technique works as follows:

A camera captures still images line-by-line which are converted into audio tones.
The tones are transmitted over ham radio frequencies.

A receiver device converts the tones back into images to display a low frame-rate video.

However, there are severe limitations to ham radio SSTV video:

Very low quality and frame rate, usually less than 1 FPS.

Black and white only, no color.
Narrow bandwidth so only one caller can be received at a time.
Limited broadcast range under 40 miles.

Overall, SSTV over ham radio is more of a hobbyist novelty than a practical video calling method. But it does technically qualify as video transmission without internet.

Conclusion

While most video calling today relies on internet connectivity, there are ways to place video calls without the internet:

Through cellular networks, with limitations.

With dedicated walkie-talkie style devices at short ranges.
Over private RADIUS networks, with technical complexity.
Using satellite phones, with high costs.

Across amateur radio as a hobby, with very low quality.

For most everyday situations, regular video calling through the internet provides the best combination of quality, features, and affordability. But in remote or emergency situations, it is possible to make lower quality video calls without internet when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I video call without internet using just a cell phone?

Yes, you can make video calls between cell phones without internet access as long as you have cellular service. The video call will use your voice minutes and cellular data. However, call quality may not be great.

What apps allow video calling without internet?

On smartphones, the native Phone or Contacts apps allow video calling over cellular networks without WiFi. On walkie-talkie devices, apps like GoTenna, Zello, and Voxer support offline video calls. There are also dedicated handheld devices like RemoBell that work without WiFi.

How far can you video call without internet?

The distance depends on the technology used:

Cellular network – Works as long as you have cellular signal.

Walkie-talkie apps – Up to several miles range.
Satellite phones – Connect anywhere with satellite coverage.
Ham radio – Up to approximately 40 mile range.

Can FaceTime work without internet?

Unfortunately FaceTime requires an internet connection to make video calls. Even if you have cellular data, you cannot use FaceTime without WiFi. You’d need to use your carrier’s default phone or messaging app to video call over just cellular.

What about Skype or WhatsApp – can I call without internet?

Skype and WhatsApp also require internet connectivity to work for video calls. Like FaceTime, they utilize VoIP technology which depends on internet access, so they will not work over just a cellular network.

Is video call quality without internet good?

Video call quality over cellular networks or walkie-talkie devices is generally much lower than over WiFi or broadband internet. You’ll typically get lower resolution, higher latency, and possibly audio issues. Satellite phone video quality is also quite degraded and limited in speed. For best quality, an internet connection is still preferred.

What’s the best way to video call without needing the internet?

The best options are either using your smartphone’s native video calling through the cellular network, or using dedicated walkie-talkie style devices that create short-range peer-to-peer networks. Both allow free video calling without relying on internet connectivity.

Comparison of Video Calling Options Without Internet

Method	Range	Call Quality	Cost
Cellular Network	Good	Poor-Moderate	Included or Data Rates
Walkie-Talkies	Up to Several Miles	Poor	Device Cost
Satellite Phones	Global	Very Poor	Very High
Ham Radio	Up to 40 Miles	Very Poor	Device Cost

The Future of Video Calling Without Internet

While current options for video calling without internet have limitations, new technologies are emerging that could improve capabilities:

MESH Networks – Mesh networks allow peer-to-peer connections between devices without centralized infrastructure. This removes dependence on cellular networks or WiFi.

LiFi – LiFi uses light waves instead of radio frequencies to transmit data. This could allow high-speed video calling between devices fitted with LiFi modems.
5G Networks – The higher bandwidths and lower latency of 5G networks could improve video call quality over cellular networks.
P2P Apps – Developers are building more peer-to-peer apps that allow direct video calling between nearby devices without internet.

With these emerging technologies, video calling without internet should become more practical and higher quality in the future.

Key Takeaways

It is possible to make lower quality video calls without internet by using cellular networks, walkie-talkie devices, satellite phones or amateur radio.
The native phone and contacts apps on smartphones can video call over cellular data.

Dedicated walkie-talkie style devices allow short-range video calls without internet.
Satellite phone networks enable video calls from anywhere with extremely high costs.
HAM radio hobbyists transmit very low quality analog video over the air.

For most people, video calls over the internet remain the best option for call quality and affordability.