Thanks to Vodafone (News - Alert) U.K., customers will be able to take advantage of Voice over 4G, or VoLTE, and Wi-Fi calling this summer. The company announced its latest offering after several months of testing in its network laboratory.
Vodafone said the Wi-Fi Calling service will allow customers to use Wi-Fi without the need to use an app. It added that the solution is "particularly suited" to customers living in areas where network coverage is limited or where it is difficult to get an indoor signal.
Jeroen Hoencamp, Vodafone UK's Chief Executive Officer, said the firm's Wi-Fi calling service will ensure customers "never miss a call."
"It is another important step towards our commitment to build the UK’s strongest converged network," he stated.
VoLTE utilizes a data connection through the LTE (News - Alert) spectrum rather than wired networks. While moving a bit slow, the technology is being actively tested by infrastructure firms as they prepare to make VoLTE more widespread in the United States. It is the long-term goal for voice communication.
VoLTE offers a higher audio quality while using less energy, so it is certainly is a win for customers. Of course, it comes down to price. What VoIP has done for communications costs, VoLTE must surpass to make it a complete knockout.
Clearly this is a win for U.K. customers.
The rollouts of Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE are part of £1 billion Vodafone is currently spending on its network and services across the U.K.
VoLTE has the capacity to allow users to use many multiple media applications involving voice, video and data simultaneously on their smart devices. Operators are then able to add higher value-added applications, making it a win-win for both consumer and service provider.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson