Verizon is finally bringing
Wi-Fi Calling to its network, the carrier has confirmed, with some smartphones receiving it later today. While the service, which allows subscribers to make and receive calls and texts over a local Wi-Fi connection instead of the wireless network, is finally going live for some users, it is only being made available to two flagship Samsung smartphones initially, with iOS users having to wait until "early next year."
The first two phones to get Wi-Fi Calling will be the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, with it being rolled out in phases as part of a software update, though owners of the compatible devices can activate the feature by turning on
Advanced Calling in the settings menu. Verizon claims other Android smartphones and iPhones will get the same service in the coming months. By contrast,
AT&T enabled iOS devices for Wi-Fi Calling as soon as it introduced its own version of the service.
Under Wi-Fi Calling, any calls made to US phone numbers will be free, with foreign calls billed at international rates. Since it works with Advanced Calling, the standard calls and texts are accompanied by support for seamless transitions between Wi-Fi and the wireless network, HD Voice, and video calling functions.
Verizon's delay in introducing Wi-Fi Calling was primarily caused through a need for a
waiver from the FCC, allowing it to bend regulatory rules concerning Teletypewriter (TTY) support. Verizon was
granted the waiver in mid-November after making the request at the end of October.
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