UK based mobile phone operator, EE has started to inform customers that its shared number service, called Smart Number is going to be discontinued this month. The service allows customers to effectively share one number between Apple devices, supporting making and receiving phone calls and text messages on iPads, MacBooks and iPhones.

EE launched the service back in 2018 and it is likely due to low customer use that the company has decided to end support for it. On Apple's own documentation, it has been referred to as Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices. While Apple has supported phone call sharing on iCloud devices for a very long time, the iPhone and the other device have always had to be on the same local network, what this feature allowed for is phone calling over the internet, for times when you might not have your iPhone with you.

EE has been the only UK mobile phone network to support Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices.

EE will drop support for the on 9th December 2024 and the local network based feature, that EE and other mobile phone networks have supported for ages, will still work.