After AT&T received a special clearance to offer WiFi Calling, Verizon follows suite by making a similar request to the FCC. AT&T had earlier sent a letter to the FCC chairman, Tom Wheeler, requesting special clearance to commercially launch WiFi calling service as it claims that the service essentially falls under FCC's 'voice calling networks' requirements which necessitates support for teletypewriter, also known as TTY devices. Upon receiving the waiver, the second largest mobile operator in the country had earlier this month officially launched the service.
Verizon in its request asks for a similar clearance, as what has been granted to AT&T. Verizon is already offering Wi-Fi calling on iOS devices via its own apps, but the waiver from FCC will enable the carrier to support the truly integrated Wi-Fi calling in iOS 9 and on Android devices.
Verizon plans to research and deploy IP-based RTT (real-time text) technology, as a replacement technology for TTY, said the Operator.
