LG v20 - No FM Radio; A Verizon "Get The Runaround" Special! Help Me if You're Annoyed, too.
Why I'm Annoyed...
The Verizon LG v20 is the only version that does not support FM radio apparently, as it works on AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint.
Why doesn't it work on Verizon?
I've spent several days and a lot of long conversations trying to find out. I started my investigation with LG. I was told via chat that the FM chipset is in the phone but may have been disconnected from the motherboard, or it simply lacks software. But he was sure that the phone is capable of it.
The folks at NextRadio (an FM radio android app maker) say, in a nutshell, bug Verizon for sure; the ball is in their court.
Folks on the Verizon forum ferociously defend Verizon, and say that because they didn't "buy-in" (pay LG) society is better off as a whole and since they have found a way to be technically on the right side of the law, I just need to drop it and carry multiple devices...
The part that's interesting to me is that Verizon would not answer me on the Verizon community forum!
The answer I did get by contacting Verizon through their leadership website was pathetic at best...
What Have I Learned?
So, I did learn that the FCC does not allow carriers to block a "standard feature" on a phone. I learned that the way carriers get around this is by "buying in", or not, for certain features.
At the end of the day however, there are still actual human beings that decide what a standard feature is versus a feature that the carrier can buy into or not. Those actual human beings live at the FCC.
To my mind, if the hardware exists for feature in a phone, it would be considered standard. Supposedly the hardware is there. I realize I'm splitting hairs.
Summary
Since I can't get a straight answer from Verizon as to why it doesn't work or how I can get it to work, I guess an informal complaint through the FCC is next to determine if they are indeed obeying the spirit of the guidelines. If nothing else, at least it may prompt Verizon to give me a better and more complete answer.
If You Don't Care & Why I Do...
If you don't care, I respect that. I realize some people don't care about FM radio. I personally don't have FM radio stations I like where I live, but in the event of any kind of an emergency, I want to be able to listen to FM radio emergency broadcast, or even local broadcast without having to rely on cell towers being up to do it. and for people who do have FM radio station that they want to listen to? Their phones are capable of it so they should be allowed to do it, IMO. And apparently it is also the opinion of AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. On a personal note Verizon is the only carrier that has a decent signal where I live. I would jump ship in a minute if this were not the case.
What Do I Want You to Do? - Takes 2 minutes
If you're like me and you do care, please take less than 2 minutes and file an informal complaint with the FCC about the fact that Verizon is the only major carrier not supporting FM radio. You can do that here - https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us?return_to=/hc/en-us/requests
The FCC will not actually do anything other than pressure Verizon to give a better answer. That's all I want... But I do hope that somehow they will magically turn it on... Like they did after the fact for the Galaxy S7... After people griped... Not identical circumstances, but one can hope! Thanks.
Why I'm Annoyed...
The Verizon LG v20 is the only version that does not support FM radio apparently, as it works on AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint.
Why doesn't it work on Verizon?
I've spent several days and a lot of long conversations trying to find out. I started my investigation with LG. I was told via chat that the FM chipset is in the phone but may have been disconnected from the motherboard, or it simply lacks software. But he was sure that the phone is capable of it.
The folks at NextRadio (an FM radio android app maker) say, in a nutshell, bug Verizon for sure; the ball is in their court.
Folks on the Verizon forum ferociously defend Verizon, and say that because they didn't "buy-in" (pay LG) society is better off as a whole and since they have found a way to be technically on the right side of the law, I just need to drop it and carry multiple devices...
The part that's interesting to me is that Verizon would not answer me on the Verizon community forum!
The answer I did get by contacting Verizon through their leadership website was pathetic at best...
Hello Ms. Raines,
Thank you for your patients in the resolution of this matter. Regrettably, we are unable to honor your request to enable FM radio on your devices. After thorough review, it has been determined that Verizon has not blocked FM radio capability in any phones that we sell. Additionally, most of the phones that Verizon sells do not have such capability.
Please advise if you have any additional questions or concerns related to this matter. Feel free to contact me via email or by phone at 800-779-2067 ext. 221066 Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm MST.
Sincerely,
Latique G.
Analyst-Executive Relations
Thank you for your patients in the resolution of this matter. Regrettably, we are unable to honor your request to enable FM radio on your devices. After thorough review, it has been determined that Verizon has not blocked FM radio capability in any phones that we sell. Additionally, most of the phones that Verizon sells do not have such capability.
Please advise if you have any additional questions or concerns related to this matter. Feel free to contact me via email or by phone at 800-779-2067 ext. 221066 Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm MST.
Sincerely,
Latique G.
Analyst-Executive Relations
What Have I Learned?
So, I did learn that the FCC does not allow carriers to block a "standard feature" on a phone. I learned that the way carriers get around this is by "buying in", or not, for certain features.
At the end of the day however, there are still actual human beings that decide what a standard feature is versus a feature that the carrier can buy into or not. Those actual human beings live at the FCC.
To my mind, if the hardware exists for feature in a phone, it would be considered standard. Supposedly the hardware is there. I realize I'm splitting hairs.
Summary
Since I can't get a straight answer from Verizon as to why it doesn't work or how I can get it to work, I guess an informal complaint through the FCC is next to determine if they are indeed obeying the spirit of the guidelines. If nothing else, at least it may prompt Verizon to give me a better and more complete answer.
If You Don't Care & Why I Do...
If you don't care, I respect that. I realize some people don't care about FM radio. I personally don't have FM radio stations I like where I live, but in the event of any kind of an emergency, I want to be able to listen to FM radio emergency broadcast, or even local broadcast without having to rely on cell towers being up to do it. and for people who do have FM radio station that they want to listen to? Their phones are capable of it so they should be allowed to do it, IMO. And apparently it is also the opinion of AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. On a personal note Verizon is the only carrier that has a decent signal where I live. I would jump ship in a minute if this were not the case.
What Do I Want You to Do? - Takes 2 minutes
If you're like me and you do care, please take less than 2 minutes and file an informal complaint with the FCC about the fact that Verizon is the only major carrier not supporting FM radio. You can do that here - https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us?return_to=/hc/en-us/requests
The FCC will not actually do anything other than pressure Verizon to give a better answer. That's all I want... But I do hope that somehow they will magically turn it on... Like they did after the fact for the Galaxy S7... After people griped... Not identical circumstances, but one can hope! Thanks.