Despite the fact that all of Ukraine’s resources are now aimed at repelling a military invasion, eliminating
We have already become accustomed to the idea that in technologyNothing new has happened in mobile communications for a long time. Especially with voice communications, which no one really talks about anymore due to the fact that all interest in mobile communications has shifted towards data transmission. Here we are concerned about speed, coverage, and much more. But there is one technology that is dramatically changing the way we think about voice mobile calls. It is called VoLTE or Voice over LTE, which, similar to (VoIP) Voice over IP, uses data transmission channels with all the advantages of this approach. We will now tell you what these advantages are and what obstacles the Kyivstar team had to overcome when launching VoLTE into commercial operation.
What is VoLTE?
New technology for transferring voice calls over data communication channels using IP
VoLTE (from English Voice over LTE - voicevia LTE) is a technology for transmitting voice calls over an LTE network based on the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) of the operator. Allows you to transmit voice over LTE as a stream in the form of data packets (as in IP telephony). VoLTE is interesting and useful in that. has three times the voice and data capacity of 3G networks and up to six times that of 2G networks. Among other things, VoLTE expands the capacity of the operator's network by making more efficient use of the frequency spectrum available to the operator.
For those who want to know more
Consumer Benefits of VoLTE
VoLTE delivers better sound qualityvoices thanks to improvements at the technological level - uses wideband EVS (Enhanced Voice Services) codecs, which were included in the 3GPP Release 12 standard in December 2014. Since there is no switching between different technologies in VoLTE, it is possible to use high-speed Internet during the call, while the connection itself is established much faster. In the networks of operators without VoLTE service, if the subscriber is in the 4G coverage area, switching to the 2G / 3G network occurs with each call. This results in a longer connection time and may affect the battery consumption of the smartphone. An important nuance is that VoLTE does not provide for an additional payment for activation, calls are charged according to the terms of the subscriber's current tariff plan.
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During a call, you can usehigh-speed mobile Internet, for example, to search for something on the net or use mobile applications without interrupting the conversation. And all this works without any additional charges for the VoLTE service.
What is needed for VoLTE to work
VoLTE works in a subscriber's smartphone when three prerequisites are met
- Поддержка на стороне оператора мобильной связи — The VolTE service must be technically provided by the operator, and the service itself must be activated by the subscriber's number.
- Support from the smartphone manufacturer -The smartphone does not just need to support VoLTE, it must be configured by the manufacturer to work on your carrier's network.
- 4G support on SIM card side -The subscriber must be a 4G user, have a 4G-enabled SIM card, and be in the coverage area of the 4G network of their operator.
What are the barriers to launching VoLTE?
Each smartphone model must receive a firmware update to work with the VoLTE service of a particular operator
The launch of VoLTE technology for an operator isa large-scale project, the implementation of which takes up to three (!) years. All existing voice services need to be migrated to the new IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) architecture. Separate work is underway on each model with each of the smartphone manufacturers - in order to use VoLTE in the network of a particular operator, the manufacturer must change the phone software settings in accordance with the architecture and technical features of the operator's network. After tests both on the side of the mobile operator and on the side of the smartphone manufacturer, the new settings become available to the user along with the latest firmware updates. It should be said here that smartphone manufacturers are focused on promoting new models, so they are simply not interested in updating the settings of smartphones that are more than 2-3 years old.
For those who want to know more
The complex process of preparing a smartphone model forwork in the operator's network is called homologation or smartphone homologation. It comes from the Greek word ὁμολογέω, (homologeo, translated into Russian - "agree"). Usually, it means improving the technical characteristics of the product to meet standards or requirements, as well as obtaining approval from an official organization or another party (in our case, the smartphone manufacturer).
Where can I use VoLTE?
The VoLTE usage area completely coincides with the coverage area of the operator's 4G network
You can use VoLTE wherever you arecoverage of the 4G network of the mobile operator. For example, Kyivstar, to improve customer experience, is implementing a large project to launch an LTE network at 900 MHz frequencies (in theory, intended for use in rural areas) in cities - this network is already operating in almost all cities of Ukraine. 4G at such low frequencies (for cities, the usual frequency range is 1800 and 2600 MHz) penetrates better through the walls of buildings, and therefore works better indoors. This allows you to access high-quality communications (high-speed data transfer or VoLTE), for example, in elevator cabins.
Which smartphones support VoLTE?
Current and regularly updated list of modelssmartphones that have passed homologation in the Kyivstar network are available on the operator’s website. Now there are already more than one hundred and eighty models from four manufacturers: Samsung, Apple, Huawei and Xiaomi.
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Share of smartphone manufacturers among users (including potential) VoLTE in the Kyivstar network
What should I do if my phone supports VoLTE, but the service is not available?
While it remains only to wait for their turn, by April 2023 Kyivstar promises to connect 2 million subscribers to VoLTE
The service is connected in “waves”, it all depends onwhen manufacturers update the firmware and activate VoLTE on their smartphones. In 2020, VoLTE Kyivstar became available to contract subscribers. But from July 2022, test connections of prepaid mobile subscribers began. Now the VoLTE service is available to all Kyivstar users. As of the time of this publication, VoLTE can already be used by more than a million prepaid subscribers. If the client uses 4G and his smartphone supports VoLTE, then he can only wait for connection from the operator. Upon activation of the service, the subscriber receives a special SMS from Kyivstar.
How many subscribers are already using VoLTE
Infographic showing how many subscribers and how often already use VoLTE in the Kyivstar network
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Can VoLTE be disabled? How to do it?
You can switch your voice on 2G / 3G networks yourself in the smartphone settings
If necessary, the service can be disabled insmartphone settings - switch voice to 2G/3G network. But, since the VoLTE service does not provide for additional payment for connection, provides faster connection and high quality of communication, and the cost of calls depends only on the conditions of the subscriber's tariff plan, there is simply no need for this.
Is VoLTE related to 5G? Will 2G / 3G networks be turned off for her sake?
Yes, 5G networks use VoLTE, but the process of phasing out 2G/3G will be gradual and take years
VoLTE development is a prerequisite for launch5G. As data and voice traffic migrates from legacy 2G/3G networks to 4G, spectrum resources will gradually be freed up. That is, VoLTE will work without 5G for some time, especially considering that all operators are now forced to invest resources in restoring the destroyed infrastructure and its energy independence. But in the future, after the launch of 5G, VoLTE will work simultaneously with 2G/3G and non-standalone 5G networks for some time. Then standalone segments of the 5G network will be added to them. And only with a complete transition to a standalone 5G network will a 2G/3G shutdown follow. What won’t happen soon, especially since Kyivstar employees have recently noted an increase in the traffic of M2M devices using 3G and even 2G networks for data transmission. In any case, this issue lies in the area of efficient use of the frequency spectrum and each operator will solve it in its own way.
For those who want to know more
Non-standalone 5G network (non-standalone or NSA)is an early version of 5G that uses the existing 4G/LTE infrastructure and core with the addition of a 5G carrier component. It will allow mobile operators to offer commercial 5G services in the millimeter wave, while having a much shorter range than previous generations of communication. An autonomous version of 5G provides for the creation of a new RAN (Radio Access Network) and a network core. This version of 5G will allow the use of low and medium band frequencies, which will give wider coverage of territories at speeds measured in gigabits.
VoLTE in Kyivstar network today and tomorrow
Dry statistics that allow you to assess the current state of the VoLTE service and its prospects
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Three reasons to start using VoLTE right now
- Improved Experience— 84% of Kyivstar subscribers, according to survey results, say they have noticed an improvement from using VoLTE
- Voice + Internet— during a call via VoLTE, you can continue to use mobile applications (search, services)
- It's free— There is no need to pay anything extra for using VoLTE - everything is charged as before