Verizon has enabled Voice over LTE, or VoLTE for VoLTE-enabled smartphones, which currently includes only Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung's Galaxy S5 and LG's G2.
Verizon is now offering the service across its network nationwide, which the company says will change how people use their smartphones in making calls to other smartphone users.
Verizon made the announcement on a news article posted on the company's website.
VoLTE, or Advanced Calling 1.0, is basically HD Voice and Video Calling that is the latest technology in wireless communications and tied in with the newest models of 4G LTE smartphones.
Video Calling is made more simple when users do so with the VoLTE technology. Contacts in the contacts list of users that can be called up using a Video Call will have an icon of a video camera located next to the contact's name, and one or two taps is all it takes for the user to initiate the video call. The user can then speak to the contact face-to-face through the Video Call, which can be switched to a regular voice-only call with a single tap as well. Within the Video Call, the audio portion will be delivered using the HD Voice service.
Because support for HD Voice and Video Calling is one of the latest features to be rolled out by Verizon, the only users that will be able to enjoy the service are those using the aforementioned VoLTE-compatible smartphones, and only within the 4G LTE coverage area of the telecommunications provider. If the requirements are not met, such as if only one user has a VoLTE-compatible smartphone, or if one user is using another carrier, then the HD Voice and Video Calling will not activate and the service will be using the regular service that customers have previously enjoyed.
To make sure that the service is currently enabled on a VoLTE-compatible smartphone, users need to check the device's LTE settings. For owners of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus, users can go to the iPhone's Settings and go to Cellular, Enable LTE, and check if the checked option is Voice & Data, and not just Data.
Once Verizon users have checked that their smartphones are properly configured, users can access their My Verizon account and add HD Voice to the Change Features section of the page to the list of services under their line. After that. a quick restart of the phone will shave it ready for HD Voice.
The change by Verizon eliminates one of the disadvantages of using an iPhone under the carrier, which is the inability to make calls and use data simultaneously. The restriction has been lifted with the activation of VoLTE.
