Verizon Eyes Wi-Fi Calling, Petitions FCC for Waiver
Verizon (VZ) has taken a step toward providing Wi-Fi calling, a service that enables Android and iOS smartphone users to make calls over a Wi-Fi connection, on its network.
The telecommunications giant has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a waiver that would enable it to offer Wi-Fi calling features to its customers.
With the waiver, Verizon would be able to offer Wi-Fi calling without having to worry about teletypewriter (TTY) support.
In addition, Verizon would be able to offer the same Wi-Fi calling features as AT&T (T), which was granted a waiver earlier this month.
“Verizon plans to meet the same conditions enumerated in the AT&T Waiver Order. Specifically, Verizon agrees to inform its customers through multiple channels that TTY is not supported on these services for calls to 911 and inform customers of alternative means to reach 911 services,” Verizon wrote in its FCC petition.
Wi-Fi calling is becoming increasingly popular for mobile operators, which is reflected in recent data.
For example, an October 2015 Strategy Analytics report revealed the Wi-Fi calling market is expected to grow rapidly over the final three months of this year.
“Because it offers better voice in more places, Wi-Fi calling will move quickly from being a first mover differentiator to standard table stakes — a service that subscribers come to expect from their mobile service provider,” Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Strategy Analytics’ director of wireless operations, said in a prepared statement.
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