One of the cons of owning an iPhone on Verizon has been the inability to make a call and use data at the same time. The old restriction is finally going away with the introduction of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) in the Verizon iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Verizon has added Apple’s newest iPhones to its list of devices that support “Advanced Calling” on its 4G LTE network, reports MacRumors. Owners of the new phones can check to see if the feature is enabled under the Cellular section of Settings.
The way the feature works is by Verizon’s treating voice calls like another form of data. Other newer phones like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and LG G2 also support VoLTE. Another benefit of VoLTE is that call quality is improved by what Verizon calls HD Voice.
AT&T has its own version of HD Voice, but its network has already been able to handle traditional voice and data at the same time.
Source: MacRumors
Alex Heath is a journalist who works for Tech Insider. He’s the former co-host of The CultCast. He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like “ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation.” He lives in Lexington, Kentucky. If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Follow him on Twitter.
11 responses to “iPhone 6 and 6 Plus finally allow for simultaneous voice and data on Verizon”
cool….
“AT&T has its own version of HD Voice, but it’s network has already…” – I’m gonna be that guy. You used the wrong “it’s”… immediately after using the right one earlier in the sentence.
“Can you hear me now?”
“Good”
Good times :’)
This is why Skype is so great. You can call with your Verizon phone using a data connection, and still use your GPS, surf the web, listen to Pandora, or whatever… and you don’t even need a new phone :)
WTF!? I thought the simu voice/data thing was remedied when they switched to 4g. Wow I’ve had more than a few people try and convince me to switch to V “because their the best and way better than at&t” boy would Ihave been pissed if iI did I love and use this feature almost daily and have since my 3gs. Top it off with the way Verizon has turned against their customers recently because of greed and I’m happy I toughed it out with at&t when they used to act like that. (At&t has actually backed off of iPhone users in the last few years and their signal is almost flawless now (for me anyways)
Yes. It’s been a problem, but Verizon has corrected it. They, unlike AT&T, are scumbags If you want the best service that money can by — for a reasonable price — then go to Verizon. If you want to be fucked over, then keep enjoying AT&T.
I will! And you enjoy your awesome new features on vagizon the wifi hd calls I’m sure nobody gives to shits about since their network is already so awesome but sending your friend/family a link(or just looking it up for them) while on speaker phone or checking an email reciept while talking to customer service is bad ass! And honestly other than no tethered data for unlimited I haven’t felt fucked by AT&T since 2010(of course there always the overall fuckedyness of all wireless carriers
Only available in “select” areas “nationwide” of course, I’m sure. What are those areas? Is there a map for that? I can’t find one on Verizon’s website.
HD voice requires an LTE connection. Anywhere you hand an LTE connection HD voice will work. I know this is cult of Mac but to say that up until now you could not do simultaneous voice and data on a smartphone on Verizon’s network is not strictly true. Ever since LTE all android smartphones have been able to do this. The iPhone has been the only exception. Because of a choice apple made in the radios that improves battery life but can not do voice and data simultaneously.
No, you are incorrect. Sprint and Verizon iphones have had this problem, due to the way their networks have been setup in terms of supporting Iphones.
“One of the cons of owning a smartphone on Verizon has been the inability to make a call and use data at the same time.”
Should read:
“One of the cons of owning a iPhone on Verizon has been the inability to make a call and use data at the same time.”
All (or most) other smartphones have been able to do CDMA calls and LTE data for a long time.