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Verizon rolling out VoLTE in coming weeks ahead of iPhone 6 & iOS 8

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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Comments

  1. daving313 - 10 years ago

    Does this mean data while on voice calls with Verizon? I thought that would be answered in the article.

  2. jayeezuz - 10 years ago

    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?

    • iSRS - 10 years ago

      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?

      • Alexander Gomes - 10 years ago

        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.

  3. Matt Kayy - 10 years ago

    So what should we get when they are both out? Pros and Cons please!

  4. greg99 - 10 years ago

    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.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.


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