Carrier Why has Verizon still not enabled Wi-Fi Calling?

[XTheLancerX]

So first, T-Mobile had Wi-Fi calling. Then AT&T got it, Sprint too. Verizon submitted the waiver what, a month ago now? It's been approved for a couple weeks with no word on the feature. It took AT&T a matter of days to get the feature enabled. What's the hold up?

Nobody has been talking about it really, just wondering if anyone is getting as annoyed as I have been.

 

[BrettApple]

That's a good question. My family was getting annoyed because we have such a weak signal where we are, on any carrier, that calls are a problem. Even with a booster.

Then Verizon raised my unlimited data plan from 29.99 to 49.99 on top of what we were already paying for our family plan. So we just moved to AT&T after being with Verizon for close to 10 years or more. Wifi calling works great and we're saving $1,300 a year.

Not saying switch carriers, as Verizon does have great service. They just take forever to implement things.

Problem with AT&T is that it's only supported on the iPhone 6 and up with iOS 9. No Android/Windows support. Where T-Mobile does have that and it works great. They just aren't viable in rural areas yet.

 

[C DM]

That's a good question. My family was getting annoyed because we have such a weak signal where we are, on any carrier, that calls are a problem. Even with a booster.

Then Verizon raised my unlimited data plan from 29.99 to 49.99 on top of what we were already paying for our family plan. So we just moved to AT&T after being with Verizon for close to 10 years or more. Wifi calling works great and we're saving $1,300 a year.

Not saying switch carriers, as Verizon does have great service. They just take forever to implement things.

Problem with AT&T is that it's only supported on the iPhone 6 and up with iOS 9. No Android/Windows support. Where T-Mobile does have that and it works great. They just aren't viable in rural areas yet.

Aren't AT&T's current plans similarly priced to Verizon's current plans (as far as savings go)?

 

[ross1998]

Verizon wants you to think that they're so good they don't need wifi calling but everyone knows even verizon got dead spots all over.

Good time to switch/try out new carriers

 

[C DM]

Verizon wants you to think that they're so good they don't need wifi calling but everyone knows even verizon got dead spots all over.

Good time to switch/try out new carriers

Why did they even bother applying for the FCC waiver for WiFi calling then?

 

[XTheLancerX]

That's a good question. My family was getting annoyed because we have such a weak signal where we are, on any carrier, that calls are a problem. Even with a booster.

Then Verizon raised my unlimited data plan from 29.99 to 49.99 on top of what we were already paying for our family plan. So we just moved to AT&T after being with Verizon for close to 10 years or more. Wifi calling works great and we're saving $1,300 a year.

Not saying switch carriers, as Verizon does have great service. They just take forever to implement things.

Problem with AT&T is that it's only supported on the iPhone 6 and up with iOS 9. No Android/Windows support. Where T-Mobile does have that and it works great. They just aren't viable in rural areas yet.

Yeah that's a shame, everybody in my area is Verizon brain-washed, I mainly want to switch because I don't want to be supporting a company that I just completely hate, and that also seems to hate its customers too.

Verizon wants you to think that they're so good they don't need wifi calling but everyone knows even verizon got dead spots all over.

Good time to switch/try out new carriers

It's the arrogance, first they say they don't have the feature because they don't need it, then AT&T gets the feature and Verizon quietly submits the waiver so they can follow suit. Except they haven't, it's been like a month or two and still no word on the feature they said they suddenly want to roll out "maybe by the end of 2015"

I really really want to switch to T-Mobile but over here in Western New York, that can't work really. And that's based on their maps which tend to be over-optimistic anyway. Based on the maps they are beginning to get most of the towns covered that I would be going to, but that's with the band 12 700mhz spectrum and I don't have an iPhone 6S.

Anyway, all the 30 minute commutes that are necessary around here would be done in "Partnership" coverage, which from what I heard, you may as well have No Service. Especially on prepaid plans which is what I intend on using to "dip my toes in the water" with T-Mobile at first, I'd plan on the $30 5GB plan you can get from Walmart.

 

[C DM]

Yeah that's a shame, everybody in my area is Verizon brain-washed, I mainly want to switch because I don't want to be supporting a company that I just completely hate, and that also seems to hate its customers too.

It's the arrogance, first they say they don't have the feature because they don't need it, then AT&T gets the feature and Verizon quietly submits the waiver so they can follow suit. Except they haven't, it's been like a month or two and still no word on the feature they said they suddenly want to roll out "maybe by the end of 2015"

I really really want to switch to T-Mobile but over here in Western New York, that can't work really. And that's based on their maps which tend to be over-optimistic anyway. Based on the maps they are beginning to get most of the towns covered that I would be going to, but that's with the band 12 700mhz spectrum and I don't have an iPhone 6S.

Anyway, all the 30 minute commutes that are necessary around here would be done in "Partnership" coverage, which from what I heard, you may as well have No Service. Especially on prepaid plans which is what I intend on using to "dip my toes in the water" with T-Mobile at first, I'd plan on the $30 5GB plan you can get from Walmart.

To be fair, it's barely been two weeks since the FCC waiver was applied for and granted.

 

[aneftp]

Verizon original network was built on the old AMPS technology in which they could add on to the "newer" CDMA technology (duo band phones).

So Verizon always had the advantage of saying they were the "better network" since they could fall back on the AMPS old technology

While the original AT&T which switched from the AMPS to the GSM tech and newer carrier from mergers called Voicestream had to build their networks up from the ground up

That's why people have been brainwashed about Verizon being the best network for so long. Even continuing those 2008-2011 when they were making fun of new att networked dropping calls so much because new iPhones were being released. Whereas CDMA couldn't handle voice and data at the time so calls wouldn't drop.

The truth now is all the players are pretty much on even playing fields. And Verizon perceived advantage is all but gone since they are switching to all GSM standard (LtE) and moving away from cdma altogether

 

[XTheLancerX]

To be fair, it's barely been two weeks since the FCC waiver was applied for and granted.

Really? I thought it was a month or so now. That's my mistake. Didn't it only take AT&T like a few days for the feature to be enabled after the waiver approval?

 

[C DM]

Really? I thought it was a month or so now. That's my mistake. Didn't it only take AT&T like a few days for the feature to be enabled after the waiver approval?

In the case of AT&T they were already testing it for some time before the waiver was granted, which was more of a last step for them. In case of Verizon it seems to be more of an early step. I'm not saying they aren't dragging their feet or anything like that, simply pointed out that Verizon's waiver was only granted a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Applejuiced]

If it doesn't equal to more profits and extra customer fees then Verizon will keep dragging its feet on adding this useful feature.
Unless they decide to pull a usual verizon money grab move and somehow find a way to make you pay extra for it or make you switch to newer mobile share plans in order to have it enabled on your plan.
Stay tuned, I wouldn't be surprised at all

 

[XTheLancerX]

In the case of AT&T they were already testing it for some time before the waiver was granted, which was more of a last step for them. In case of Verizon it seems to be more of an early step. I'm not saying they aren't dragging their feet or anything like that, simply pointed out that Verizon's waiver was only granted a couple of weeks ago.

Yep, makes sense. Somewhat has suspicions of that myself but the lack of word on anything, and Verizon's past behavior has me a little irked.

If it doesn't equal to more profits and extra customer fees then Verizon will keep dragging its feet on adding this useful feature.
Unless they decide to pull a usual verizon money grab move and somehow find a way to make you pay extra for it or make you switch to newer mobile share plans in order to have it enabled on your plan.
Stay tuned, I wouldn't be surprised at all

Me either. Hence why I want to get away from Verizon because I feel all they want to do is find a way to screw me over at every turn. Can't really because of my area and the coverage and family plan circumstances/contracts at the moment however.

 

[Dallious]

you can use wifi calling on Verizon but you have to download there message+ app and use the dialer in there, there was an article about it on here and I tried it and it does work

 

[Applejuiced]

you can use wifi calling on Verizon but you have to download there message+ app and use the dialer in there, there was an article about it on here and I tried it and it does work

That's not wifi calling.
That's an app like Facebook messenger, google voice and similar voip apps.

 

[Wild-Bill]

you can use wifi calling on Verizon but you have to download there message+ app and use the dialer in there, there was an article about it on here and I tried it and it does work

That's a band-aid, wrapped in a steaming ball of fail.


I hate Verizon.

 

[jimbo1mcm]

My Network Extender died and my signal is really poor. I downloaded the Verizon Messages+ app and it works pretty well. It doesn't give you a "favorites" choice, but it does connect to wi fi and the quality of the call is fine. Works on Iphone 6 and 6S models. I like it.

 

[XTheLancerX]

My Network Extender died and my signal is really poor. I downloaded the Verizon Messages+ app and it works pretty well. It doesn't give you a "favorites" choice, but it does connect to wi fi and the quality of the call is fine. Works on Iphone 6 and 6S models. I like it.

you can use wifi calling on Verizon but you have to download there message+ app and use the dialer in there, there was an article about it on here and I tried it and it does work

I'm not going to use a separate app, I really would rather not have to think about what app I need to use to send a text or make a phone call. Fact of the matter is true Wi-Fi calling is still not here for Verizon. Just a "workaround"

That's not wifi calling.
That's an app like Facebook messenger, google voice and similar voip apps.

That's a band-aid, wrapped in a steaming ball of fail.


I hate Verizon.

Agreed.

 

[XTheLancerX]

deleted, double post. Verizon's LTE at my house didn't work too well this time

 

[C DM]

It's been a long road, but with iOS 9.3 being publicly released, Wi-Fi calling for Verizon is finally here.