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Being an Android smartphone user on Verizon means you’re used to some of the finer things in life such as great coverage, getting nickeled and dimed for everything imaginable, and being able to use both voice and data at the same time. Simultaneous voice and data has been available on most Android phones by coming equipped with two separate radios and maintaining separate connections to the 1x and EVDO or LTE networks. Verizon’s upcoming Moto X (2nd gen), set to launch on September 26th, will handle simultaneous voice and data quite differently from previous Android phones.
Verizon’s new Moto X will be the first Android device that requires Verizon’s Advanced Calling 1.0 to enable simultaneous voice and data connections. Oddly enough, the Moto X is not launching with Advanced Calling 1.0 support and will require a software update that’s slated for later this fall. The new Moto X isn’t being singled out here, this change and requirement will be coming to future Verizon phones as well.
Verizon’s Advanced Calling 1.0 enables VoLTE (Voice over LTE), think VoIP for cellular networks. This means if you make a phone call while on Verizon’s LTE network, your phone will no longer use the CDMA connection to place the call. Your call will go out over the LTE data connection instead. Thanks to the bandwidth available on LTE networks, your phone has a large enough data connection for all of your voice and data needs. Besides simultaneous voice and data, Advanced Calling 1.0 also adds high definition voice calls, 1-way or 2-way video calls, and 6-way conference calls. Of course these features are only available if you’re in Verizon’s LTE coverage area and are using a Verizon VoLTE-enabled smartphone.
While this might be a bit disheartening if you’re an avid user of simultaneous voice and data due to a pending future update that enables this functionality, Verizon is headed in the right direction. This is all part of their grand scheme to do away with their aging CDMA network. This is the first step towards the future.
Thanks Mr. D!
I’m curious if this is a battery life mitigation technique? Running two radios (3G & LTE) at the same time will draw more power, though it’s unclear exactly how much. With a smaller battery, it might make a big enough difference that Verizon is forcing the issue in order to make the phone “better”.
I think it’s really about getting rid of CDMA.
The new iPhone is the same way. Though, the Verizon iPhone 5, 5C, and 5S are literally the only versions in the US that couldn’t do SVDO b/c Apple also wouldn’t build in that second antenna. So for Verizon Apple fans, it’s, “finally, simultaneous voice/data on Verizon!”. Meanwhile, for Android fans, this is frustrating. I know this is more important to some than others. And I know they’ll get the update out “this fall”, but still. Oh well… the sacrifice of using Verizon I guess.
Sure, it could be a bit frustrating if you’re trying to download something off of LTE and get a phone call, your download would stop. If you’re on WiFi you won’t notice any change though. Hopefully that update hits sooner than later.
Yeah it’s definitely not a huge deal. But for me personally, I have a 45 minute commute both ways each day, so having voice and data access comes in very handy, especially on long calls.
If I recall correctly, it was announced the VoLTE would effectively end unlimited data on Verizon’s service. Am I wrong to assume that Verizon thinks that all of us clinging onto unlimited data for dear life will buy the Moto X 2014 outright only to be scammed/forced into a tiered data plan by an app update? You might be wondering, “If he thinks so low of them, why stay?” The answer is simple: unlimited data. If you take it from me Verizon, I and countless others, are gone.
Just to note, I’m not a data hog. I consume, on average, 8-10 gigs/month.
So, If you buy the Moto X 2014, vote with your wallet, and do NOT support Verizon with your dollars. End rant/question.
I haven’t heard of any plans to end the unlimited data service (yet). “Advanced Calling 1.0” is already here, I’ve already upgraded my account to it through Verizon’s features page, and I still have unlimited data.
Now all I need is a Nexus phone that supports LTE bands 13 and 4, as well as VoLTE, and I’ll be all set. I’ve been waiting for this for years.
Thanks Jason! Sets my mind at ease before dropping a large chunk of change on a merchant that may or may not deserve it.
Yes, Thank you indeed! Every time I read about ANYTHING new and improved from Verizon I panic that it is just a scam to kick us off of the unlimited plans. I’ve been waiting for the new MotoX for 6 months and this would have been awful.
Correct if I am wrong but don’t us Verizon unlimited data users already have 2 test subjects for this issue, the Galaxy S5 and LG G2? Both of those Big Red phones have just recently been updated with Advanced Calling 1.0 /VoLTE and users are reporting receiving the update, enabling Advanced Calling, and lastly / most awesomely, keeping their unlimited data. Apparently, there was no charge to their plan…
Cause you’re right, it would suck horribly if we threw down bigger bucks to get this phone off contract only to have unlimited taken away after an update 2 months later. But from my understanding, we are in luck? Is the new Moto X somehow different than those 2 precedents?
EDIT: @Jason looks like he is confirming it as well?..
Sorry.. I use the Moto X 2013 and was unaware that any phone other than the HTC ONE M8 has or will be receiving it. I wish I could find the article, but I swear that it was posted on phandroid that VoLTE would end unlimited data for Verizon customers.
Ya you’re right in that there has been plenty of fear in Verizon unlimited data hold-outs like myself but all of it was conjecture. People were intrigued by the possible far reaching effects this would have on data tiers altogether, like how would Verizon charge for talk minutes if we don’t even use normal minutes anymore and everything is data?… I think the reason our unlimited boat is still floating is because Volte is still sooo far from the norm. Everybody still is using normal minutes. Just not S5/G2 owners calling other S5s/G2s both on Verizon. We’ll see what happens when Volte is way more widespread but I think we got at least several years and several thousand gigs downloaded (muahahaha) before that.
I have unlimited data and I am happily chatting away with VoLTE on Verizon right now.
It’s not a problem. Check HOFO.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1845903-volTE-live-just-in-case-no-one-knew?p=15578501#post15578501
What about when you are in BFE and can only get 3G – can you even make a call (after the upgrade)?
I use my Moto X (OG) for work and I am constantly checking data-necessary content on my phone while chatting with a vendor or client. I’m definitely going to be on the wait-n-see list before getting any device that is only VoLTE & data at a future date!
Yes, you can still make a call on 3G. Here’s all of the details if you’re interested. http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/advanced-calling.html
Meh. If there’s a shortage of available antennas, then VZW can just do away with my call service.
How I read this – So when you buy it, don’t unlock/root/mess with it or else you won’t get the update that allows you to do both at the same time.
If that’s even possible at launch, but sure. The update is very important.
My LG G2 was updated to Advanced Calling 1.0 but so far I can’t find anybody with a similar phone to try it out with. It was a little confusing at first (after receiving the update) what to do to activate it. You actually have to log on to your account and “add” the new service to your phone.
Ok so fine.. BUT what I don’t get is, how can that function not be built into the phone prior to shipping? Other phones have it and are getting it, why can this latest release phone not have it off the shelf or not have it well before “Fall” (given in the world of cellphones, that really mean little and is pretty vague).
To people that don’t research and catch wind of this, they may not buy and opt for something else. Seems they would want this IN any new releases prior to releasing the phone as they now are going to try to roll it out later and then, might open a can of worms by having the general population be the guinea pigs and hoping it works on that phone.
Phones before had a radio specifically for calls and a radio specifically for data. That’s what I got from the article. Also it said other phones didn’t have this and are getting it.
So now you will be able to use your LTE data and talk over that same data. On Tmo, when I talk on the phone, my LTE disconnects and my data goes over HSPA. I don’t know if my voice is over LTE, but I know when I’m on a call my data goes over HSPA, not LTE.
Voice and data works differently from CDMA to GSM.
Yes, I fully understand what it is, what it does and why.
What I do not understand is that on their most recent “flagship” phone this is not cooked in and provided out of the box when the software and functionality already exists and people need to wait until some vague time “in the Fall” to get it.
Welcome to American carriers.
That sounds like something that is needed specifically for CDMA phones. Mainly because GSM phones, since I’ve known, has always had the ability to use Voice and Data. I’m assuming Voice has been going over their Edge (2G) network and data would go over their 3G,4G (HSPA) network.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Maybe they’re waiting for after they release the new Droids to make this update available to other devices.
Because Verizon makes everything difficult. By picking and choosing devices (“certifying”), the rollout will be painfully slow. I’m betting all new devices will get it eventually, but older devices will be cherry picked or maybe not even supported. Verizon has to give you a reason to extend that contract, after all.
Ask them why the LG G2 has it, but the G3 doesn’t.
So with the move to Volte i keep hearing that this will put VZW on par with GSM networks and they won’t be able to lock down the phones that use their network. Does this inability to lockdown phones include bootloaders? I’m assuming that’s an entirely different issue. If Volte does make their network more open for any device to be used on their network you could theoretically buy a tmobile phone and use it on Vzw to have an unlockable bootloader?
I am also wondering if this means that phones compatible with Verizon’s LTE bands will be usable on their network. I know we’d have to install Verizon’s volte software, and at this point I doubt anyone knows if that is possible. It may be like tmo’s WiFi calling, where it’s near impossible to port. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Remember that vzw has to approve the device to be use on their network…remember what happen with last year Nexus tablet on vzw that they weren’t allowing people to get a new SIM card for the tablet because the device was not certified for their network yet. Or at least that was the excuse they gave people who inquired about the matter.
I do recall that, but the work around was to swap an active sim card into the tablet and it worked just fine. Another possibility is that Google will try the same thing that they did with the nexus 7…
Unlocked bootloaders aren’t even an issue anymore. The ONLY people that don’t realize this yet are those who don’t have a newer flagship device. As long as you have root (which every new device currently has), you can still add roms (using safestrap), use the Xposed module to mod your device (which covers almost everything) use TitaniumBu to get rid of bloat, and pretty much everything else you could previously do with an unlocked BL. The whole “whaaaa my bootloader is locked” thing needs to die already. Stop whining and get a new device and you’ll see for yourself.
While safe strap is a nice work around it is still a work around and one more thing to worry about. I used safe strap on the droid x and galaxy s3 before the unlock method was out. The safe strap method only worked so well on the droid x and was much better on the s3. Still if prefer an out right unlock method as some others probably would as well. Not whining but everyone had check lists for what they want in a device. An unlockable boot loader is on my list as I’m sure it’s on some others as well. That’s the beauty of choice. Every one has it. Currently running moto x developer edition on Verizon
Yeah, but like with my Note 3 since the bootloader is locked we are stuck with the stock kernel. Which means every rom most be touchwhiz based. No AOSP or custom kernels, which I really miss. Yeah, it’s kind of my fault for getting a Samsung phone. But still, I like have an unlocked bootloader like on my Nexus 7. I was excited to get a Dev edition Moto x, but the new moto x won’t have a Dev edition for Verizon.
Will the video call count against your data? Or minutes? That’s the big question.
Regular VoLTE non video calls count against your minutes. Video calls will count against your data.