Could Wi-Fi Calling on the iPhone 6 come to Verizon soon?

That came following a complaint lodged by AT&T Mobility that competitors Sprint and T-Mobile USA are using Wi-Fi calling that doesn’t conform to accessibility rules for those hard of hearing, specifically the FCC teletypewriter functionality, which enables text-based communication over a telephone call.

Now, Verizon is looking to fully catch up to its peers by requesting an FCC wavier that would allow it to provide native phone calls over unlicensed spectrum. FierceWireless noticed Verizon’s request as the carrier seeks the same waiver granted to AT&T in early October.

It’s important to note that Verizon actually already offers Wi-Fi calling through an app on iOS, however, the FCC approval will eliminate the need for an app and will allow the provider to offer the service natively on both iOS and Android.

Yes, you can now make WI-Fi calls on Verizon, but it’s a bit of a pain in the butt.

Now that AT&T has it’s FCC waiver for Wi-Fi calling support, Verizon has followed suit and filed its petition. In a footnote, the company adds that “it is Verizon’s position that neither the existing rules nor the AT&T Waiver Order require such a waiver”, but it is doing so “out of an abundance of caution”. The feature is now available to AT&T customers with an iPhone 6 or above with iOS 9. It’s important to note, however, that AT&T is developing its own TTY replacement that is scheduled to be ready for consumer use by the end of 2016.

“As the commission and others have recognized, however, wireless IP networks do not reliably transmit TTY signals”.

Sprint and T-Mobile United States never asked for a waiver prior to launching Wi-Fi calling without support for the hearing impaired.

An alternative, called real time text (RTT), is in the works, but Verizon admitted that it will take time to develop and deploy the technology on its network.

Given Verizon’s well-developed RTT plan, they are certain to be granted a waiver.