In one of its latest pursuits in voice over long term evolution (VoLTE) technology, Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) has successfully completed the world's first live video call and an extensive set of test cases for VoLTE in China Mobile’s (News - Alert) TD-LTE network in Fuzhou, China.
The successful integration of NDN’s VoLTE solution in China Mobile's pre-commercial TD-LTE (News - Alert) network marks a major milestone for the company, which is gaining ground in China. The solution allows efficient use of deployed network assets and provides exceptionally fast call setup times.
VoLTE looks to add a significant competitive advantage for operators, as it enables higher spectral efficiency and lower operational costs. It also allows them to ward off the competition from OTT players.
Meanwhile, explained NSN Senior Vice President of Core Michael Clever, the service is also beneficial to mobile subscribers, as it offers sophisticated voice-based and video-based services along with high-definition voice quality.
The trials were carried out using NSN's enhanced Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (eSRVCC) solution. NSN completed the first TDD eSRVCC video call on January 4, 2014. Further NSN carried out a series of tests on January 29, 2014 to demonstrate the advantages of providing voice services as an integral part of the LTE network.
“A video call made in an LTE network that utilizes eSRVCC allows a high-definition (HD) call that is established in the IP Multimedia Subsystem (News - Alert) (IMS) over VoLTE and then handed over to 2G/3G using voice continuity. This means the voice portion of the call can continue seamlessly even if 4G coverage is no longer available,” NSN explained.
VoLTE also allows operators to make efficient use of their radio resources. The service delivers very high Quality of Service (QoS) for transport and radio scheduling. Moreover, admission and congestion control can be efficiently tuned to preserve the voice quality experience in the presence of heavy traffic loads.
According to Clever, the video to voice handover is a good example of how the new technology can be seamlessly integrated with the existing mobile broadband networks.
“Our hard work in integrating the VoLTE solution in China Mobile's pre-commercial TD-LTE network paid off when we were able to complete this set of tests ahead of our competition,' said Markus Borchert, president ofGreater China Region at NSN. “Our solution allows efficient use of deployed network assets and provides exceptionally fast call setup times. We will continue supporting the operator to provide the highest core network efficiency possible.”
Edited by Blaise McNamee