Verizon iPhone to get simultaneous voice and data on 3G?

Lifeisabeach · May 19, 2010

Verizon iPhone to get simultaneous voice and data on 3G? | Electronista

Verizon is reportedly planning to add Voice over Revision A (VoRA) to its network that would use its EVDO Rev A 3G network to handle voice calls as well as data. Unlike usual CDMA networks, which cuts off 3G when a call comes in, VoRA would behave more like HSPA on phone networks and allow both to run at the same time.

If real and accompanied by VoRA, it could juggle data as well as the present-day iPhone and would take away one of the frequently-cited advantages of having the Apple device on AT&T's network. It would also greatly simplify Apple's OS development as it wouldn't have to discourage the use of data in the background.

Ok, I'm as much a natural skeptic as the next guy, and usually take rumors of a Verizon iPhone with several grains of salt. But with all these rumors floating about lately, it's getting too much to be ignored. This has put me over the top... I'm quite convinced that Verizon really is getting the iPhone soon.

Eric559 · May 19, 2010

Even though using data while on a voice call isn't that big of a thing for me, if this would happen. Verizon > ATT even more.

nepenthe · May 19, 2010

<sigh>

I have been frozen in my tracks for too long by all the rumors.

Lifeisabeach · May 19, 2010

The one thing that really concerns me… this rumor says you'd be using Verizon's 3G data pipes for data and voice. Since their 3G service is slower than AT&T's as it is, and it would now be doing double-duty for data and voice, how much of an impact will that have on data speeds and overall quality of service?

Sgt Beavis · May 20, 2010

If Verizon gets the iPhone AND does simultaneous voice and data, AT&T will be dead to me..

Heck even without simultaneous voice and data I'll most likely drop AT&T.

When Verizon's LTE gets here, AT&T will be dead to me.

MYmacROX · May 20, 2010

I'm on Sprint and from what I've read it's pretty much a 99.999% guarantee they aren't getting the iPhone this year or anytime too soon.

It's a shame because I'm more than pleased with coverage and customer service. They are notorious for crappy phone selection, though.
Therefore, when my contract is up next year in March/April I will be switching. To who? Whoever is carrying the iPhone. If it's only AT&T, then I have no choice. But if Verizon has the iPhone too, I'm going with VZW.

Wolvrin704 · May 21, 2010

While I have been on the edge of my seat over the last year as to whether or not Verizon is getting the iPhone I no longer care. I only care about the release of the next phone and using whichever carrier has it even if it is AT&T. Once that contract is up if I don't like their service and Verizon has the iPhone I will switch back at that time. Its more important for me to get the new iPhone at this point than it is to wait for my desired carrier.

technologist · May 21, 2010

lifeisabeach said:
The one thing that really concerns me… this rumor says you'd be using Verizon's 3G data pipes for data and voice. Since their 3G service is slower than AT&T's as it is, and it would now be doing double-duty for data and voice, how much of an impact will that have on data speeds and overall quality of service?

I believe a full-quality voice channel on CDMA takes up about 14.4kbps of bandwidth. So it's not going to make a dent on a 1.5 or 3.mbps Rev. A network

XJ-linux · May 21, 2010

At this point, all I really know is that wherever I wind up at the end of my contract with AT&T, it won't be with me signing a contract with anyone. I'll gladly pay full price just to steer my own course. The handset is secondary to me when compared to quality of service. iTunes and apps are nice, but my phone's primary job is to make phone calls and send/receive emails with as close to 99.9% availability as possible. That said, a 4G Verizon iPhone with no contract would be the best of all worlds to me.