VoLTE: Revolutionising voice calls in the mobile world

In the ever-evolving realm of telecommunications, new technologies are constantly popping up to make it easier, faster and clearer for us to stay connected. One innovation that has truly taken centre stage in recent years is VoLTE. This technology is transforming mobile communications by delivering crystal-clear calls, faster connections and a whole new level of efficiency. Whether you’re chatting with a friend across the street or catching up with a colleague on the other side of the globe, VoLTE can make it feel like you’re both in the same room.

Let’s explore how VoLTE is revolutionising voice calls and why you might never want to go back.

What is VoLTE?

Short for Voice over LTE or Voice over Long-Term Evolution, VoLTE is a technology that enables you to make voice calls over a 4G LTE network.

Traditional mobile voice calls have historically relied on 2G and 3G networks but even though 4G LTE has become the standard for mobile data, your phone would switch from a 4G network back to 2G or 3G when making a call. This process, known as circuit-switched fallback, often led to slower call setup times and lower voice quality.

With VoLTE, there’s no need for your phone to switch networks. Instead, your voice calls are transmitted as data packets over the 4G LTE network, just like your messages, videos and internet data are sent. And this seamless integration brings a host of benefits, from improved call quality to faster connection times and so much more.

In fact, VoLTE is more than just a technical upgrade, it’s a significant leap forward in how we communicate. By tapping into the capabilities of LTE, it provides HD Voice, which offers a richer and clearer audio experience so that the days of asking, “Can you hear me now?” are fading away and replaced by the clarity and reliability of VoLTE.

How does VoLTE work?

To understand how VoLTE works, it helps to know a little about the underlying technology – LTE or Long-Term Evolution. This is a high-speed wireless communication standard designed to provide faster and more efficient data transmission. It was primarily developed to improve mobile data services, allowing users to browse the web, stream videos and download content at lightning-fast speeds.

Meanwhile, the process of making a VoLTE call is quite different from making a traditional one. With the latter, your phone connects to a nearby cell tower and then establishes a circuit-switched connection with the recipient’s phone, which means that a dedicated channel is reserved between the two phones for the entire duration of the call.

On the other hand, with VoLTE your phone sends a packet of data to the network, which then routes it to the recipient’s phone, a process known as packet switching, which makes better use of network resources.

What are the key components of VoLTE?

From IP multimedia subsystem to packet-switched networks, it may all sound a little like a foreign language, so let’s break these terms down.

• IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): IMS is the architectural framework that allows for the delivery of voice and other multimedia services over IP networks. In other words, it manages the signaling and connectivity needed for VoLTE calls.
• Packet-Switched Networks: as mentioned earlier, unlike traditional voice calls that use circuit-switched networks, VoLTE operates on a packet-switched network, whereby voice data is broken into small packets and transmitted over the LTE network.
• Quality of Service (QoS): VoLTE ensures that voice data is given priority over other types of data on the network to maintain call quality. This is achieved through QoS protocols that prioritize voice packets to prevent delays or interruptions.

What are the benefits of VoLTE?

The technology brings plenty of perks to the table. Here are some highlights:

Improved call quality

One of the most significant advantages is the superior call quality it offers. VoLTE supports high-definition (HD) voice, which delivers clearer and more natural-sounding audio than traditional calls. In fact, its wider frequency range captures subtle nuances in the human voice, so you can hear and be heard with crystal clarity.

Faster call setup

Remember the awkward pause between hitting “call” and hearing the phone ring on the other side? VoLTE minimizes this delay, making calls connect almost instantly. This might seem like a small improvement, but in situations where every second counts, it can make a big difference.

Better coverage and signal strength

Because VoLTE uses the LTE network, you can often get better reception in areas where 2G or 3G might be spotty. This translates to fewer dropped calls, especially in rural or remote locations where LTE coverage is stronger.

Simultaneous voice and data

On older networks, making a call usually meant pausing your data connection. VoLTE allows for simultaneous voice and data use, so you can browse the web, use apps or send messages while on a call without any interruptions.

What are the challenges of VoLTE?

While VoLTE offers many advantages, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are some examples:

Device compatibility

Not all smartphones are VoLTE-compatible, particularly older models. To use VoLTE, your device must support both LTE and the specific VoLTE feature, so if you’re using an older device, you may need to upgrade to make the most of this technology.

Take a look at the range of devices which are VoLTE compatible.

Interoperability issues

As VoLTE becomes more common, you might still run into compatibility problems between carriers. If the person on the other end doesn’t have VoLTE, the call could revert to standard quality. Over time, though, as more networks adopt the technology, these hiccups should fade.

The future of VoLTE

More than just an upgrade to voice calling, VoLTE is a foundation for even bigger changes in the telecom industry. As we inch closer to 5G and beyond, VoLTE will help keep calls reliable, high-quality and ready for whatever the future holds. Here are some trends to keep on your radar:

Integration with 5G

With 5G networks becoming more widespread, VoLTE will gradually evolve into Voice over New Radio (VoNR), which provides voice services over 5G networks. This evolution will enable even lower latency, enhanced call quality and advanced features, making VoNR a significant advancement in voice communication.

Improved IoT integration

VoLTE is also paving the way for better integration with the Internet of Things (IoT). As more devices become connected, VoLTE can provide a reliable voice communication platform for things like smart home systems, connected cars and industrial automation.
Not sure what IoT is? Take a look at our beginner’s guide.

Enhanced mobile experiences

For consumers, it will continue to improve the mobile experience. With the ability to support richer multimedia services, VoLTE is set to transform how we interact with our devices and each other.

How to activate VoLTE on your phone

If you’re a new mobile subscriber with us, you will be automatically set up to enjoy VoLTE’s benefits right away, while if you’re an existing customer, you have already been provisioned. However, you still need to activate the feature on your phone to take full advantage of VoLTE.

Here’s what you need to do to activate VoLTE on your iPhone.

• Head to ‘Settings’ and click on ‘Mobile Service’
• Next, click on ‘Mobile Data Options’, then on ‘Voice & Data’
• Lastly toggle ‘VoLTE’ on. Once activated, you can start enjoying the benefits of VoLTE right away.

While the exact steps to activate VoLTE on your Android device may vary by manufacturer, generally speaking, you will need to do the following :

• Go to ‘Settings’ and look for ‘Network & Internet’ or ‘Connections’.
• Tap on ‘Mobile Network’ or ‘SIM & Network’.
• Enable ‘VoLTE’ calling if available.

A game-changer in the world of telecommunications, VoLTE offers a host of benefits that enhance our voice-calling experience. And as this technology continues to evolve, it is set to play a crucial role in the future. So whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply someone who values clear, reliable calls, now is the perfect time to start using this revolutionary technology, provided to you for free.

Discover more about VoLTE.