National Chinese telecom China Mobile, Dutch telecom KPN, and KPN affiliate iBasis (News - Alert) recently announced that they have completed their first successful international voice over LTE (VoLTE) roaming architecture implementation. The two telecoms will be using the technology to connect subscribers in China and The Netherlands.
According to China Mobile (News - Alert), VoLTE technology is coming off the heels of user demand for more LTE data service they can use on their smartphones and tablets. Voice packets sent through LTE (News - Alert)-based data are reportedly clearer and consume less information that would traditional cellular calls. As networks across the globe move to adopt higher speed and more reliable data technologies, therefore, it is no surprise that voice will come along for the ride.
The announcement also mentions the capabilities that all-data network – one without traditional voice capabilities – can provide for users. With LTE there has been greater usage of video calling because networks can finally support the high-definition video that users are after. Older-style networks were unable to compete and would create either grainy or choppy pictures, but LTE can support clearer pictures and greater consistency. Therefore, all-data networks will be able to support both high-definition video and audio, and furthermore, they will allow users to switch between the two without any interruption in service. All calling information will travel through the same lines in the same manner, so users can begin calls on video and switch to audio at any time they desire.
The iBasis support of VoLTE could also positively impact operators. The company says that a single connection to its multiservice IPX can allow operators to connect their own users to hundreds of countries across the globe. Although there may not be VoLTE coverage in all of those countries, the connection here between China and The Netherlands marks the beginning of that journey. With this connection established, other countries should more easily be able to follow suit.
As Mobility Tech Zone has pointed out, however, there is still a challenge for telecoms and operators to figure out how to create revenue from all data networks such as those proposed above. Telecoms are now competing with over-the-top service providers that deliver similar calling functionality, so telecoms may be forced to introduce newer and better extraneous services such as advanced calling graphical interfaces or contact manipulation. It is through innovations in that space where telecoms will need to make their money and keep users from flocking to OTT.
Edited by Alisen Downey