Verizon Hopes To Get FCC Waiver Like AT&T For Wi-Fi Call Approval

Verizon has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a waiver granting the company the ability to implement a Wi-Fi calling on their network. AT&T implemented Wi-Fi calling earlier this month on October 15th for the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus and 6s Plus smartphones, so Verizon is trying to catch up to AT&T.

While Over-The-Top (OTT) services such as Skype and FaceTime have offered Wi-Fi calls for some time, they don’t have to face all of the same FCC restrictions and regulations applied to carriers. For example for AT&T and Verizon to be able to offer WiFi calling, carriers are required to offer an alternative to Touch Telephone (TTY) systems for deaf customers, called Real-Time Text (RTT) technology. That technology is similar, but its more reliable than TTY is on WiFi networks and wont be available until 2016. That is why the carriers are needing waivers from the FCC.

Verizon currently offers WiFi calling through their own Message+ app on iOS, but with FCC permission they will be able to make it a native feature on both iOS and Android devices. T-Mobile and Sprint have not made requests for such waivers this yet. AT&T’s waiver expires Dec. 31, 2017, “or upon the effective date of rules providing for alternative IP-based wireless accessibility solutions, whichever is earlier.” Verizon is seeking the same terms in their waiver request.