Verizon announced today that it plans to roll out support for Voice over LTE (VoLTE) ahead of Apple’s expected introduction of the feature alongside iOS 8 and iPhone 6. 9to5Mac first reported back in April that Apple is targeting voice-over-LTE support for iOS 8 and future iPhone models:
Another significant addition being considered for iOS 8 and the next-generation iPhone is voice-over-LTE support (VoLTE), according to carrier sources. Currently, when an LTE-capable iPhone needs to make a phone call, the actual call is placed over last generation networks such as 3G. With VoLTE, calls will be transmitted over the same type of network that LTE data is processed through, and this can allow for benefits such as improved call quality.
The chipset in the current generation iPhones technically supports calling over LTE, but Apple is yet to enable the feature in iOS.
Verizon previously announced its plans to roll out support for the higher quality voice calls over LTE, but today confirmed the feature will be available via a software update in the coming weeks. AT&T and T-Mobile have also announced support for VoLTE and have already started rolling out the feature to customers.
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Does this mean data while on voice calls with Verizon? I thought that would be answered in the article.
Yep
LTE is actually intended to replace the old GSM/CDMA standard with really higher data rates. Hence its name: Long Term Evolution.
Right now, I believe voice is still going through GSM/CDMA, I don’t know about texts, but in the future it should all go through LTE. :)
So you’re telling me that older iPhones on VZW are actually able to surf the web and talk, but Apple hasn’t activated that feature in the current version of iOS?
Not exactly. Using VoLTE the older (5s for sure, probably 5 and 5c as well) iPhones will be able to utilize simultaneous voice and data, once the carriers enable it. Since carriers have just started roll-out and plans, having it enabled previously would have resulted in a feature that you could not use, as carriers still use 3G for voice.
Also, assuming the 5, 5c, and 5s all get this enabled via a software update (in the case of the 5, two years after launch), what does that do to people who claim Apple’s use of planned obsolescence?
Apple hasn’t activated it but a lot of other manufacturers have. My Lumia 928 already is using VoLTE and it is wonderful. Still waiting on Apple to unlock the feature on the 5c.
So what should we get when they are both out? Pros and Cons please!
I’m sure there’s no coincidence between the timing of this announcement and the timing of the throttling regime for [previously] unlimited data customers. Sheesh.