It looks like the LG Revolution will be the first Verizon phone to make voice calls over the 4G LTE network, the carrier said in an interview.
A Verizon spokesperson told CNN that the LG Revolution would be the first to do voice over LTE (VoLTE) but it won’t be there when the device launches this summer but it will be receiving the capability sometime in early 2012. The move is very interesting because it could lead to higher-quality calls, as well as video calls that are integrated with your phone number.
Once the feature if added, the LG Revolution will still have the ability to make calls on the Verizon CDMA network when the 4G LTE network is out of reach. The VoLTE service will also give Verizon users the ability to make calls and surf at the same time, which might take a little wind out of AT&T’s sails.
This is another feather in the cap of the Verizon LG Revolution, as the device will feature a 4.3-inch WVGA touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, front-facing camera for video calls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, HDMI port and DLNA. The big appeal of the device will be its ability to use the Verizon 4G LTE network for mobile data access.
As you can see from the video below, the handset is a bit chunky because of the LTE module but it’s still a nice-looking device. An added bonus is that it should come with the Qi wireless charging standard to make it compatible with multiple charging pads.
The Verizon VoLTE move is one that should be quickly followed by others, as mobile calls should all eventually just be over data. We’ll probably still have the standard voice technology for a while as a fallback option – it also gives carriers the ability to keep a revenue source going.
[Via CNN]