EE has joined forces with Amazon to enable new and existing EE pay monthly mobile customers to make and receive calls hands-free on their Alexa devices around the home.

No more missing a call because your phone is in the other room or you’re cooking, Alexa will say “incoming call from mum” when she is calling, and customers can simply say “Alexa, answer” to start the call through their Alexa device – even if their phone isn’t nearby or has run out of battery.

The service is easy to set-up and there’s no extra charge for doing so. All customers need is their Alexa device and the Amazon Alexa app on their phone to get started. Calls come out of their monthly allowance and out of allowance calls will be charged at the standard rate.

EE customers’ smartphone and their Alexa device will ring simultaneously when someone calls, giving customers the option to answer on either device when in the home. They can also answer calls even if their phone is off or out of service.

Customers can make calls through simple voice commands to access contacts in their mobile address book or simply by speaking the full mobile or landline number out loud.

Sharon Meadows, Director of Partnerships, Devices & Business Development, at EE said: “We’re always looking for ways to offer customers exciting 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.”

“Customers use Alexa every day to help them stay connected with loved ones around the world,” said Brian Oliver, Director of Alexa Communications. “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.”

EE offers a range of Amazon Echo devices through EE Retail, EE Telesales and the EE online shop. 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.