All You need to know about VoLTE

Wireless operators throughout the world are getting ready to retire their older 2G voice networks and replace them with service that runs over the new super speedy 4G LTE networks they've built during the past couple of years.

The benefit to wireless operators is crystal clear: more-efficient use of their network resources, which will result in lower operational costs. But the benefit to consumers, at least in the short term, isn't as obvious.

Still, in the long run consumers will see better voice quality and more enhanced services. If we're lucky, we'll also see true device interoperability among various carrier networks. This means being able to take any device to any carrier network.

In this post I will bring the pros and cons of this new technology and what to expect from LTE and VoLTE.

To be honest, in the long run voice over LTE will benefit wireless operators much more than it will consumers. The reason is that traditional voice services over the existing 2G network work just fine today. For most consumers, voice service just works. Calls are made, and few are dropped.

But for a wireless operator, moving voice services off the old 2G infrastructure will create a simpler network that's more cost effective to operate. It means service providers will eventually have to manage only one network, which is far more efficient in delivering voice services than the older circuit-switched 2G voice network. It also means these carriers can free up spectrum that had been used for the traditional voice service and put it to use to allocate more bandwidth for more lucrative data services.

That said, consumers will see some benefits as operators make this transition. I've made a list of the top six benefits consumers will see both in the short term as well as in the long term. I've also highlighted a few problem areas that may frustrate consumers, at least during the initial rollout.

Before we get into the pros and cons of this new technology, let me explain what it is.

What is VoLTE?

Today, wireless providers transmit voice calls over the traditional circuit-switched networks, and subscribers use the newer IP-based 4G LTE network to access the Internet and other "data" services. The VoLTE, service enables wireless operators to use the data network to transmit voice services in the same way they transmit data. In short, it chops up voice calls into packets, just as emails, Facebook messages, and all other communications over the Internet are "packetized."

By turning voice into IP packets, the companies are able to offer high-quality voice calls, as well as services that look more like what so-called "over-the-top" Internet app developers have offered over the open Internet.

Consumer VoLTE benefits

1. High-definition voice:

The most noticeable benefit consumers will experience with VoLTE is improved voice quality. Traditional voice networks transmit voice calls using an 8kbps codec. Verizon says it's using a 13kbps codec that also uses more-modern compression methods. The result is a call that's noticeably clearer than a typical cell phone call. When you will compare the sound quality of two network (2G and VoLTE) The VoLTE call will superior.

2. Rich Communications Services (RCS):

VoLTE also will enable wireless operators to deliver a new set of standards-based services referred to as RCS. These services include things like video calling, file transferring, real time language translation, video voicemail and instant messaging. Many of these applications are already delivered over cellular data service using third-party apps. Millions of people use Skype for video calls as well as messenger services. And Google offers its Google Translate service. The benefit of VoLTE is that it lets you launch these services directly from the phone's native dialler.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are services that could be enabled by VoLTE that no one has even thought of yet.

3. Faster call setup times:

Connecting calls using VoLTE will be much faster than it is today using the older circuit-switched technology on a 2G wireless network.

4. Improved battery life over other VoIP apps:

VoLTE delivered a consistently higher call quality than circuit-switched voice and over-the-top applications. In addition, VoLTE really shined when it came to its network requirements, consuming far less than a Skype voice call, which translates into a meaningfully longer smartphone battery life.

5. Integration of VoLTE with voice over Wi-Fi service:

Another benefit for consumers is better integration between a wireless operators' cellular voice service and a Wi-Fi calling service. Improving the transition between the cellular voice call, which uses licensed wireless spectrum, and a Wi-Fi call, which uses unlicensed spectrum, is important because it could let these operators get better indoor coverage in areas where their licensed wireless spectrum is limited. That means improved coverage for consumers.

Because the call setup necessary for voice over Wi-Fi is the same as the setup for VoLTE, once VoLTE is fully deployed, it will be easier and more seamless to offer voice over Wi-Fi in areas where licensed spectrum is either weak or unavailable.

6. True device interoperability:

Once carriers make VoLTE services interoperable among different carrier networks, there won't be any technology barriers among most of the world's wireless operators. What this could mean for the average consumer is that you may be able to buy one device that could truly operate on any wireless network. All the major carriers would be delivering data services and voice services using the same 4G LTE technology. And if your smartphone supported enough LTE wireless bands, you'd be able to take that device to any carrier and get both voice and data service.

The downsides to VoLTE

1. More dropped calls :-

At least initially: Voice over LTE is a new technology. And because it's new, it's likely that, at least initially, it won't work perfectly everywhere all the time.

There can be cases, like in your home, where the VoLTE experience may not quite be the same as you were getting with CDMA. VoLTE uses different antennas. It's a totally different technology.

The biggest reason why the service may drop calls is because it requires that both the caller and the person receiving the call be within LTE network coverage. This is particularly true VoLTE deployment, which doesn't transition calls from LTE to its older network. What this means is that if one person on the VoLTE call leaves LTE coverage, or the LTE signal is too weak, the call will be dropped. This could result in more dropped calls for certain users.

2. Limited to certain devices:

In order to make or receive VoLTE calls, both devices must include 4G LTE radios and be equipped with software that will allow the VoLTE function.

In the future, most new smartphones will come with VoLTE included.

3. Pricing changes:

Just when wireless operators started offering unlimited voice calls, the technology changes. Now voice calls travel over the same data network as any other data application. This could change how operators charge for basic voice service as well as other enhanced services.

The bottom line: -

VoLTE is the future of voice communications on all wireless networks, whether wireless customers want it or not. There will be benefits to consumers in the long run. But in the short term, there could also be some hiccups that frustrate consumers.

Once wireless operators get more experience in real-world deployments, they'll refine the technology. Dropped calls won't be an issue, and eventually VoLTE and all the nifty benefits and services that come with it will be available on all wireless networks, including crystal-clear voice quality and video chat services.

I hope this information was helpful.