Editor’s note: After this story was published, a Verizon rep told RCR Wireless News the “webpage describing this service was posted in error and has been pulled down. This service is coming to prepaid customers–but not until early fall.”
Verizon expands VoLTE functionality
Verizon Wireless expanded its voice-over-LTE service, or what it calls HD Voice, to its branded prepaid service. The technology transports calls over its LTE data network instead of the traditional voice network. According to Verizon Wireless, the benefits of using HD Voice include:
- Clearer, more natural sounding calls.
- The ability to browse the internet and use other data while on a call.
- One-way or two-way video calls.
- Six-way conference calls.
- Wi-Fi calling.
To call with HD Voice, both phones must have HD Voice turned on and be connected to Verizon Wireless’ LTE network. Not all VoLTE-capable devices support the Video Calling service, according to the carrier.
Customers with capable devices can add HD Voice to their account for free, although calls will be billed as minutes depending on the customer’s plan.
The addition of prepaid phones to Verizon Wireless’ VoLTE functionality comes on the back of the mobile operator’s March announcement establishing voice over LTE for Apple devices running on its latest version of iOS.
And in April, Verizon Wireless’ chipset partner Sequans Communications said LTE Cat-1 products would be the first to be certified for VoLTE support.
Verizon Wireless competitor T-Mobile US bills itself as the nationwide leader in VoLTE. Earlier this year at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, T-Mobile US CFO Braxton Carter said more than half the voice calls on the carrier’s network are on VoLTE and that T-Mobile US is ahead of its competitors in VoLTE penetration.
Carter said the carrier is in the process of repurposing legacy spectrum for LTE. The company also is expected to bid aggressively this year in the 600 MHz spectrum auctions, but any spectrum T-Mobile US secures through that process will not be available until the TV stations currently using the spectrum move to a new channel or go dark.
