With VoLTE gaining momentum, operators are slowly but surely beginning to deploy the 4G technology into their products and networks. Being able to not only provide voice services natively over a packet switched networked, but also to integrate additional capabilities, including RCS, video and other services, into the VoLTE device itself, portends to be a tremendous boon for cellular communication operators and their customers, and providers have been working hard to implement the proper technological structures to make the transition.
On June 14th, ZTE (News - Alert) Corp. completed what is thought to be the world’s first TDD-based voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) call, using an end-to-end connection over China Mobile Ltd’s LTE TDD network. The call was made using a smartphone prototype with a 13-band Marvell (News - Alert) Technology Group LTD chipset.
LTE TDD refers to Long Term Evolution Time Division Duplex, and is a particular flavor of LTE signal transmission. It uses a single channel and a timed signal to separate upload and download streams. This differs from the frequency division duplex (FDD) method, primarily used in the U.S., which uses two channels and a paired spectrum for uploads and downloads. Opinions concerning which version is more effective are varied.
ZTE said that further trials will be needed, but plans to have a commercial device ready for the second half of 2013. ZTE will also test chips from Qualcomm, Intel (News - Alert), and Broadcom.
Lu Chang, director of product marketing at Marvell's mobile business group, said in a statement, "All of the components are ready. It's all about when the operators are ready to deploy."
Voice over LTE (News - Alert) can dramatically reduce the costs of running a mobile telecommunications network by converging all cellular communication over a packet switched network. It delivers high spectral efficiency, low latency, and better energy consumption than communications over 2G, 3G, or hybrid fallback models. In addition, VoLTE offers HD voice, a superior voice codec, which is a growing expectation for users.
This recent milestone in China could be just the kick-start the wider LTE market needs to move past the deployment tipping point.
Edited by Jamie Epstein