Verizon Rolls Out Advanced Calling For The First Flagship Models

WiFi calling definitely isn’t a new technology, but it’s still good news for Verizon subscribers who have waited with bated breath on when the feature will roll out for their phones. On December 8th, some Verizon handsets will be able to enjoy “Advanced Calling.”

“Advanced Calling” is basically WiFi or Internet-based calling, or calls made over a WiFi or another type of Internet connection, without the use of third-party apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, Google Hangouts, or Facebook messenger. It makes use of the subscriber’s phone number, and the subscriber can then call other subscribers who also use the same feature. Both subscribers should have Internet connection for the calls to go through.

Advanced Calling on Verizon also has video calling capabilities. So instead of using Facebook, Viber, or Google Hangouts for video calls, subscribers can just use Advanced Calling for contacts who use the same feature.

According to the official announcement from Verizon, Advanced Calling features are free for US numbers, while long-distance rates apply for calls to international numbers. However, regular Verizon rates apply for HD and Video calls made using the Advanced Calling feature, according to the landing page for Verizon's Advanced Calling feature. Therefore, it is dependent on the plan or package that the subscriber was using on Verizon.

Advanced Calling takes advantage of Verizon’s VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology, which is basically LTE-optimized to handle voice calls. When the subscriber’s area has no LTE coverage, the call automatically switches to the nearest WiFi connection available.

The Advanced Calling feature will be available to subscribers who will update the software on their devices. The feature will apply to selected flagship units at first, then will increasingly roll out to other devices. First to receive the update for Advanced Calling will be Samsung S6 and S6 Edge units, then Apple flagship units next year.

Verizon’s Advanced Calling may have come in late into the game, but at best, Verizon’s subscribers will no longer be missing out on Internet calling technology on their network. As the service rolls out to a growing number of units and models, more subscribers will be able to take advantage of this feature.

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The official announcement of Verizon’s roll out of the Advanced Calling feature: https://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2015/12/verizons-advanced-calling-to-include-wi-fi-calling-beginning-next-week-on-some-devices.html

The Advanced Calling page: https://www.verizonwireless.com/landingpages/advanced-calling/

More on Advanced Calling 1.0: https://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/advanced-calling-1-0/