FCC Grants AT&T Waiver Request to Launch Wi-Fi Calling

The FCC has granted AT&T's waiver request for an exemption from rules that prevented it from launching Wi-Fi calling.

AT&T had previously decided not to go live with the feature because it doesn't yet meet FCC rules about accessibility for people who are speech and hearing impaired.

In a statement, the company questioned why the FCC has allowed T-Mobile and Sprint to launch Wi-Fi calling without receiving a waiver.


“We’re grateful the FCC has granted AT&T’s waiver request so we can begin providing Wi-Fi calling. At the same time we are left scratching our heads as to why the FCC still seems intent on excusing the behavior of T-Mobile and Sprint, who have been offering these services without a waiver for quite some time. Instead of initiating enforcement action against them, or at least opening an investigation, the agency has effectively invited them to now apply for similar waivers and implied that their prior flaunting of FCC rules will be ignored. This is exactly what we meant when our letter spoke of concerns about asymmetric regulation.”

No word yet on when AT&T plans to launch Wi-Fi calling but you can follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.