[dangetti]

Just announced and posted over on Pocket Lint

Quote:

Vodafone has announced that it will be introducing both Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Wi-Fi calling for its customers from this summer.

Until now Vodafone users had to use third party apps for calling over Wi-Fi. Once this comes as standard it will mean those with poor connection indoors can still receive and make calls via their Wi-Fi connection. Three currently offers an app for this purpose.

Vodafone will also be introducing VoLTE which allows users to make calls over 4G rather than the usual 2G or 3G connection. VoLTE should mean the ability to have high definition phone calls that are much clearer than the current offering. Of course this still depends on a stable 4G connection to offer a noticeably better quality of call.

VoLTE 4G calling can offer up to three times the bandwidth of 3G which should mean making video calls over the network will be a stable, clear possibility at last.

EE has also announced it will begin trailing VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling but won't start until Autumn.

Jeroen Hoencamp, Vodafone UK chief executive said, "Our Wi-Fi Calling service will ensure that our customers never miss a call. It is another important step towards our commitment to build the UK’s strongest converged network."

[mrMick]

Some good news, then. We hope...

[enapace]

So Vodafone and EE will have native WiFi Calling and O2/Three the app version interesting. I think only O2 haven't announced when they would launch VoLTE now.

[jaffboy151]

If.. And it is a big if, Vodafone continue upgrading there network and backhaul albeit from quite a low Base, they seem to be the only network gearing up to be in a position to challenge EE, three look to be slowly fading away with broken 4g 1800 roll out promises, opting to use there small 800mhz bandwidth as there 4g backbone, Shame they seem to have come to a dead stop in the West Midlands rolling out 4g or I might give them ago with the March sim only sale.

[Synthetic42]

Bit that stood out was "EE has also announced it will begin trailing VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling but won't start until Autumn."

Potentially for VoLTE but WC has been confirmed to by live by the S6 release in April, unless it slips of course, again....

[d123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synthetic42

Bit that stood out was "EE has also announced it will begin trailing VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling but won't start until Autumn."

Potentially for VoLTE but WC has been confirmed to by live by the S6 release in April, unless it slips of course, again....

Maybe they got confused as EE initially promised wifi calling for Autumn 2014...

[jabbamk1]

Called it first.

[Chrysalis]

Might put pressure on EE to get a move on then.

VoLTE I remain interested in, as currently I find 3G sucks for calls due to the weaker coverage and higher battery drain over 2G. However VoLTE even if better for battery drain than 3G will still have the weaker signal issues.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Called it first.

Nice

Good to see two networks pushing the envelope, the consumer can only benefit

[neilybealy]

This might be the thing that makes me try out Vodafone as I get NHS discount. Disappointed that ee have delayed on wifi calling

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilybealy

This might be the thing that makes me try out Vodafone as I get NHS discount. Disappointed that ee have delayed on wifi calling

I assume you've seen this which implies it launches in April, and there will be an info update this week?
http://community.ee.co.uk/t5/EE-Comm...ng/ba-p/274506

[neilybealy]

Yes read that but we still wait confirmation and add to that the delay since last year

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilybealy

Yes read that but we still wait confirmation and add to that the delay since last year

I'm assuming (based on posts in this forum, so no way to tell if authentic) that during the time EE has been testing in the real world with staff and some big corporate customers, to see how it actually works on home ADSL, FTTC and Cable connections, as well as hot spots.

[steffangl]

I think Voda are the ones to watch.

Last week I woke up to a full 3G900 Voda signal on my work phone after years of EDGE. My 2 nearest streetworks masts (previously 2100Mhz 3G only) have been replaced and 3G900-ed and 4G enabled for VO2.

I don't have a Voda 4G SIM but the 3G900 is going at 6Mbps, 3G2100 at 11Mbps and the 900 coverage indoors is crazy compared to the non-existent 2100Mhz, especially as I'm not that close to the sites.

If they keep up this good work EE are in for a shock. And with VoLTE and WiFi calling coming it makes it even better. I'd settle for solid 20Mbps Voda 4G compared to my current flaky EE 4G. Having said that, Voda have a very long way to go.

[mrMick]

They're doing well with the 3G and 4G roll out to be fair.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steffangl

If they keep up this good work EE are in for a shock.

I was wondering this, but EE have a lot more masts than voda, so if EE can get 4G onto ALL their 2G masts, they may be in a better position in regards capacity, and thus top speeds.

Both networks worth watching for the next 3 years

[plymouthbloke1974]

Quote:

Originally Posted by enapace

So Vodafone and EE will have native WiFi Calling and O2/Three the app version interesting. I think only O2 haven't announced when they would launch VoLTE now.

O2 need to launch 3G first

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

I was wondering this, but EE have a lot more masts than voda, so if EE can get 4G onto ALL their 2G masts, they may be in a better position in regards capacity, and thus top speeds.

Both networks worth watching for the next 3 years

EE silently revised their 4G percentage number from a target of 98% by the end of the year to 90% by the end of the year.

[steffangl]

EE are definitely the fastest and probably always will be.

I'm concerned about the indoor signal though. ALL the masts bar 1 around me have been 4G enabled. I get 3 bars outside. Inside downstairs this instantly goes. Instead I get 1 bar unusable 3G or 1-2 bars EDGE.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steffangl

EE are definitely the fastest and probably always will be.

I'm concerned about the indoor signal though. ALL the masts bar 1 around me have been 4G enabled. I get 3 bars outside. Inside downstairs this instantly goes. Instead I get 1 bar unusable 3G or 1-2 bars EDGE.

If you're getting EDGE on EE then that is the same 1800mhz frequency, so probably because the signal strength on 4G isn't as high as 2G - and the guess of the forum is this is to ensure you can always make voice calls. Eventually thanks to VoLTE hopefully the power will be increased.

Vodafone have similar concerns, they will need 900mhz 2G coverage everywhere they get 800mhz 4G so people can make voice calls.

[jonmorris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

O2 need to launch 3G first

O2 is probably trying to work out how to implement half rate coding for VoLTE.

[DevonBloke]

Oh well that's just great isn't it!!
It's probably my fault, moaning about my mast has taken up all EEs time.
100% resources to Marley Head and then Vodafone overtake.
Bugger..... as Paul Whitehouse might say!!

[DevonBloke]

O2 wanna try turning off TACS.
Might free up some spectrum for GSM!

[DevonBloke]

Not that I'm bitter or anything....

[The Lord Lucan]

Currently Vodafone can claim to have the most Northern part of Britain 4G'd..... I do blame you Devon for hogging all those EE Engineers they sent down from Scotland to sort out the mess the locals couldn't