Vodafone testing Voice over LTE

Everything Goes · 06-08-2014, 11:24

Vodafone are testing Voice over LTE. EE and Three are also looking to use this technology for voice calls.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php...b-newbury.html

denyo1977 · 06-08-2014, 11:41

Could it be all the networks are falling behind quite a bit? I can somehow remember that at the beginning of the year it was mentioned on here that VoLTE would be available during this year (might have been EE and Three that were mentioned).
I know no dates were announced officially, but did they initially plan to start earlier?! But if even EE say "... expects the service to go commercial sometime in 2015", it doesn't exactly sound like it will be at the beginning of next year either.

jonmorris · 06-08-2014, 11:49

It does seem like the commercial launches are slipping. In many ways, the end of 2015 will be a major turning point anyway. Far more solid coverage from all players, with VoLTE then able to see an increase in coverage.

Just need to hear what O2 is doing on the subject. Must be doing trials too.

keithsto · 06-08-2014, 12:54

I wonder if they will turn up the 'wick' on the 4g signal shortly after this is available or keep it low for people with 4g devices that cant process volte. I hope they just turn it up!

I daresay the EE 4G signal will be as good as the 2G then...

japaul · 06-08-2014, 12:59

VoLTE has always been coming "within a year" for a number of years and not just in the UK! Finally though, it does look like it's happening.

The delays aren't that surprising. It's complicated and the benefits aren't huge. Years ago, there were horror stories about massive call setup times with circuit switched fallback so it was thought VoLTE needed to arrive quickly. In fact, CSFB has worked just fine as developments brought the call setup delay down and reliability has been good.

The Vodafone release says it might improve battery life too (at least compared with power hungry 3G). Also says they'll be trialling it with their own employees in Newbury and London.

jabbamk1 · 06-08-2014, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by denyo1977

Could it be all the networks are falling behind quite a bit? I can somehow remember that at the beginning of the year it was mentioned on here that VoLTE would be available during this year (might have been EE and Three that were mentioned).
I know no dates were announced officially, but did they initially plan to start earlier?! But if even EE say "... expects the service to go commercial sometime in 2015", it doesn't exactly sound like it will be at the beginning of next year either.

Yes, a lot of stuff related to VoLTE has slipped into next year.

moox · 06-08-2014, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by japaul

VoLTE has always been coming "within a year" for a number of years and not just in the UK! Finally though, it does look like it's happening.

T-Mobile US has announced that they've launched VoLTE nationwide now.

http://www.telegeography.com/product...7-metro-areas/

japaul · 06-08-2014, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

T-Mobile US has announced that they've launched VoLTE nationwide now.

http://www.telegeography.com/product...7-metro-areas/

Yep, they've got going now along with a few others but the benefits to the customer aren't exactly huge. HD Voice is definitely one but that was already rolling out on 3G to some extent (including on T-Mobile). Faster call setups - Don't think many are complaining about current delays. Maybe it will let the networks take back video calling after the mess they made of it on 3G but like MMS, that might already have passed them by for others to take advantage of with over the top apps.

jchamier · 06-08-2014, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by denyo1977

Could it be all the networks are falling behind quite a bit? I can somehow remember that at the beginning of the year it was mentioned on here that VoLTE would be available during this year (might have been EE and Three that were mentioned).

I wouldn't be surprised if half the handsets out in the 'wild' have problems with VoLTE and the networks are very carefully testing handsets and their equipment as they don't want 5million annoyed customers

planetf1 · 07-08-2014, 08:18

Given the shocking state of vodafone's network generally (at least 3G) it's probably in their interests to get VoLTE working asap and take more load off 3G. Actually IMO they should have made 4G free for all and improved customer experience for customers still on 3G. But oh well.

I'm on three anyway and in most area it's not really a concern, but again VoLTE should help them in areas where their lower freq allocation (once used) allows better penetration/range

de525ma · 07-08-2014, 18:29

I personally don't think we'll see widespread VoLTE until 4G coverage reaches the same level as 2G does now...

The simplest way to avoid the headache of moving from packet data back to traditional voice is not to do it at all.

Particularly mid-call, that's a nightmare.

jonmorris · 07-08-2014, 20:17

Don't say that, we'll be waiting years!

Probably what O2 plans to do though.

06-08-2014, 11:24	#1
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Vodafone testing Voice over LTE Vodafone are testing Voice over LTE. EE and Three are also looking to use this technology for voice calls. http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php...b-newbury.html

06-08-2014, 11:41	#2
denyo1977 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 695	Could it be all the networks are falling behind quite a bit? I can somehow remember that at the beginning of the year it was mentioned on here that VoLTE would be available during this year (might have been EE and Three that were mentioned). I know no dates were announced officially, but did they initially plan to start earlier?! But if even EE say "... expects the service to go commercial sometime in 2015", it doesn't exactly sound like it will be at the beginning of next year either.

06-08-2014, 11:49	#3
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	It does seem like the commercial launches are slipping. In many ways, the end of 2015 will be a major turning point anyway. Far more solid coverage from all players, with VoLTE then able to see an increase in coverage. Just need to hear what O2 is doing on the subject. Must be doing trials too.

06-08-2014, 12:54	#4
keithsto Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Leeds Posts: 120	I wonder if they will turn up the 'wick' on the 4g signal shortly after this is available or keep it low for people with 4g devices that cant process volte. I hope they just turn it up! I daresay the EE 4G signal will be as good as the 2G then...

06-08-2014, 12:59	#5
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	VoLTE has always been coming "within a year" for a number of years and not just in the UK! Finally though, it does look like it's happening. The delays aren't that surprising. It's complicated and the benefits aren't huge. Years ago, there were horror stories about massive call setup times with circuit switched fallback so it was thought VoLTE needed to arrive quickly. In fact, CSFB has worked just fine as developments brought the call setup delay down and reliability has been good. The Vodafone release says it might improve battery life too (at least compared with power hungry 3G). Also says they'll be trialling it with their own employees in Newbury and London.

06-08-2014, 13:10	#6
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by denyo1977 Could it be all the networks are falling behind quite a bit? I can somehow remember that at the beginning of the year it was mentioned on here that VoLTE would be available during this year (might have been EE and Three that were mentioned). I know no dates were announced officially, but did they initially plan to start earlier?! But if even EE say "... expects the service to go commercial sometime in 2015", it doesn't exactly sound like it will be at the beginning of next year either. Yes, a lot of stuff related to VoLTE has slipped into next year.

06-08-2014, 19:42	#7
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by japaul VoLTE has always been coming "within a year" for a number of years and not just in the UK! Finally though, it does look like it's happening. T-Mobile US has announced that they've launched VoLTE nationwide now. http://www.telegeography.com/product...7-metro-areas/

06-08-2014, 20:57	#8
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	Quote: Originally Posted by moox T-Mobile US has announced that they've launched VoLTE nationwide now. http://www.telegeography.com/product...7-metro-areas/ Yep, they've got going now along with a few others but the benefits to the customer aren't exactly huge. HD Voice is definitely one but that was already rolling out on 3G to some extent (including on T-Mobile). Faster call setups - Don't think many are complaining about current delays. Maybe it will let the networks take back video calling after the mess they made of it on 3G but like MMS, that might already have passed them by for others to take advantage of with over the top apps.

06-08-2014, 22:46	#9
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by denyo1977 Could it be all the networks are falling behind quite a bit? I can somehow remember that at the beginning of the year it was mentioned on here that VoLTE would be available during this year (might have been EE and Three that were mentioned). I wouldn't be surprised if half the handsets out in the 'wild' have problems with VoLTE and the networks are very carefully testing handsets and their equipment as they don't want 5million annoyed customers

07-08-2014, 08:18	#10
planetf1 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hampshire Posts: 521	Given the shocking state of vodafone's network generally (at least 3G) it's probably in their interests to get VoLTE working asap and take more load off 3G. Actually IMO they should have made 4G free for all and improved customer experience for customers still on 3G. But oh well. I'm on three anyway and in most area it's not really a concern, but again VoLTE should help them in areas where their lower freq allocation (once used) allows better penetration/range

07-08-2014, 18:29	#11
de525ma Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 787	I personally don't think we'll see widespread VoLTE until 4G coverage reaches the same level as 2G does now... The simplest way to avoid the headache of moving from packet data back to traditional voice is not to do it at all. Particularly mid-call, that's a nightmare.

07-08-2014, 20:17	#12
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Don't say that, we'll be waiting years! Probably what O2 plans to do though.

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Vodafone testing Voice over LTE