VoLTE is coming from EE before the end of summer

benster · 14-07-2015, 16:28

Taken From www.4g.co.uk

We already knew that EE planned to launch a VoLTE (Voice over LTE) service sometime this year, but it seems the network is on track to roll it out before the end of summer. That’s according to LightReading, which notes that it will be offered on “the market’s most popular new handsets.”

There’s still no more specific date than this summer, but that at least means we should have it within the next few months.

The networks VoLTE service has already been trialled in rural Oxfordshire and it’s set to allow people to make and receive calls over 4G, which will both improve the quality of calls and mean people can stay in touch in more places.

EE’s Wi-Fi calling service does a similar thing, but as it’s dependent on Wi-Fi you’re more limited in where you can use it, especially as it won’t switch to a mobile signal when you move out of Wi-Fi range, instead cutting off the call.

VoLTE on the other hand should allow users to switch to a 2G or 3G signal without dropping the call if they move out of a 4G area.

With a summer launch on the cards it looks like EE could be the first UK network to offer VoLTE, but Vodafone will likely be hot on its heels as it’s also announced plans to roll VoLTE out this summer, while Three aims to offer a VoLTE service by the end of September.

There’s no word yet on if or when O2 will launch a VoLTE service, but with all its competitors doing so it must surely be something it’s working on.

fletchem · 14-07-2015, 16:36

This is good for me... for all the wrong reasons.

My phone often fails to switch from 4G to 2/3G for voice calls, so I get a text message saying I missed a call. If VoLTE does get rolled, it means I can finally stay on 4G all the time.

Denco1 · 14-07-2015, 16:43

Great news if this actually happens. Going from no VoLTE in the UK to three networks in less than a quarter will be a huge achievement. Let's hope interconnect between EE and Three is smooth sailing.

I will probably sell my LG G4 and buy a Galaxy S6 and just flash the relevant WiFi calling/VoLTE files. I was hoping the LG G4 would be supported by all carriers but I doubt that will be the case.

Zebb · 14-07-2015, 16:47

Mmm, when they say “the market’s most popular new handsets.”, I hope they don't use it as an excuse to upsell new handsets. Hope there's a list soon.

Stereo Steve · 14-07-2015, 16:56

Lets hope it works as well as Wifi calling has.

jabbamk1 · 14-07-2015, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebb

Mmm, when they say “the market’s most popular new handsets.”, I hope they don't use it as an excuse to upsell new handsets. Hope there's a list soon.

Don't expect Gs4 and below.

WelshBluebird · 14-07-2015, 17:08

Wonder if they will actually expand the number of devices compatible with it (I am guessing it will be the same devices that work with WiFi Calling) by giving software updates to older devices or not. If not, Three may have an advantage judging by the rumored list of their supported devices.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Don't expect Gs4 and below.

So much for that then!

Denco1 · 14-07-2015, 17:11

And O2 plan to trial VoLTE Q4 and launch next year, BINGO full house

Zebb · 14-07-2015, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Don't expect Gs4 and below.

Moto 4G?

Denco1 · 14-07-2015, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebb

Moto 4G?

It can't do VoLTE on any network at the moment, 5.2 might change that though.

joemcd · 14-07-2015, 17:35

I wonder is this one of the reasons why they seem to be the last network out there to have the 5.1.1 update for the S6? They would have to have a software update to enable it on Android so rather than have 2 updates this summer, just have one.

On a separate note, I wonder will they launch it with an even higher bitrate like T-Mobile do? 23.85kbps versus the standard 12.65kbps on 3g.

Synthetic42 · 14-07-2015, 18:27

5.1.1 is taking so long cause they're working with Samsung to work out the wifi calling bugs.

Source

lightspeed2398 · 14-07-2015, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synthetic42

5.1.1 is taking so long cause they're working with Samsung to work out the wifi calling bugs.

Source

Are they the bugs which caused the battery drain on T Mobile USA?

Synthetic42 · 14-07-2015, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightspeed2398

Are they the bugs which caused the battery drain on T Mobile USA?

They appear to be the audio quality, crackles and pops that myself and (it seems) a lot of others with the S6 experienced

Zebb · 14-07-2015, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denco1

It can't do VoLTE on any network at the moment, 5.2 might change that though.

So you're saying VoLTE can be enabled in software rather than needing a hardware chip?

Good to know we're catching up with Cambodia; 'Cambodia have announced the world's first commercial 100% VoLTE service'.

DevonBloke · 14-07-2015, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

Lets hope it works as well as Wifi calling has.

WC and VoLTE actually both use the same codec. The only difference is the mode of transport. One WiFi the other LTE.
This is why WC to VoLTE and VoLTE to WC handover will be so simple.
It will be no different than how you can log into a website and then switch connections your end (in my case from ADSL to EE3G) on the fly without the website noticing.

The network will have to do NOTHING. No CS handover communication, no channel selecting, no 2G/3G switching. The handset will simply switch from WiFi to LTE, IMS won't notice and the call will continue.

Denco1 · 14-07-2015, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebb

So you're saying VoLTE can be enabled in software rather than needing a hardware chip?

Good to know we're catching up with Cambodia; 'Cambodia have announced the world's first commercial 100% VoLTE service'.

No no, it still requires both software and hardware to be compatible, but nearly all mid to high range LTE have a compatible modem, the problem with the Moto G 4G is currently stock android doesn't have the correct code to do WiFi Calling or VoLTE this has to be added to the software version for each model/carrier by the manufactuer. With Motorola having nearly stock phones this is a problem, but Android 5.2 may change this as it has new APIs for provisioning and such.

lightspeed2398 · 14-07-2015, 19:48

Will VoLTE have an effect on battery? If a phone isn't connected to both the voice and data cores of the network awaiting the signal for CSFB surely it will give better battery life?

DevonBloke · 14-07-2015, 19:48

I'm guessing here that the handover will be one way?
Only 4G to 3G/2G, not the other way?
That will be interesting when going from a wideband audio LTE call to 2G or standard 3G.
I still don't notice HD voice on 3G that much. The quality when making a WC to WC call blows it all out of the water.

Denco1 · 14-07-2015, 19:58

In release 11 rSRVCC is a feature, reverse SRVCC so circuit switched back to packet switched but I doubt EE will be using that for a while if at all, I'm not even sure any operator is yet.

RAN Man · 14-07-2015, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

The network will have to do NOTHING. No CS handover communication, no channel selecting, no 2G/3G switching. The handset will simply switch from WiFi to LTE, IMS won't notice and the call will continue.

Ermmmm. It might have to do a bit, like set up a whole new connection through the LTE radio and core network to the IMS servers.

RAN Man · 14-07-2015, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightspeed2398

Will VoLTE have an effect on battery? If a phone isn't connected to both the voice and data cores of the network awaiting the signal for CSFB surely it will give better battery life?

There's no signalling from the phone when in LTE to maintain the Voice core capability. This is all done from the LTE core (MME), so no, there's no battery gain from this.

DevonBloke · 14-07-2015, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAN Man

Ermmmm. It might have to do a bit, like set up a whole new connection through the LTE radio and core network to the IMS servers.

Yeah yeah yeah, alright. You know what I mean. Come on, give me a break, it's not even Friday yet!!!! Hahahahaha

Yes it will have to provide an Internet connection and yes IMS is pretty complex but there is none of that damned mast to handset jiggery pokery of selecting the correct channel and technology and trying to transfer from TDMA to WCDMA and back and all the things that can go wrong there.
The simplification and power saving in the EnodeBs and the handsets if switching was ditched tomorrow would be immense.
Come on, give me that one.....

RAN Man · 14-07-2015, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Yeah yeah yeah, alright. You know what I mean. Come on, give me a break, it's not even Friday yet!!!! Hahahahaha

Yes it will have to provide an Internet connection and yes IMS is pretty complex but there is none of that damned mast to handset jiggery pokery of selecting the correct channel and technology and trying to transfer from TDMA to WCDMA and back and all the things that can go wrong there.
The simplification and power saving in the EnodeBs and the handsets if switching was ditched tomorrow would be immense.
Come on, give me that one.....

Yes, Handover between 2 different OFDMA based systems, using a dual stack, with a voice gap of <200ms so no one notices, when you have no control over the Wifi one, is clearly a piece of piss!

enapace · 14-07-2015, 21:37

I think we all realise that what is happening now is a massive revolution in Mobile Communications. In the next two years we will have the best communication solution we have ever had. WiFi Calling/VoLTE handoff 90% Geographic Coverage and hopefully a competitive market.

It is going take time for the device support to catch up I totally don't regret getting my iPhone 6, Apple for once are certainly ahead of the game getting a device out that would allow networks around the world to implement this service.

Android support will be fragmented for a long while.

14-07-2015, 16:28	#1
benster Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Blackburn Posts: 396	VoLTE is coming from EE before the end of summer Taken From www.4g.co.uk We already knew that EE planned to launch a VoLTE (Voice over LTE) service sometime this year, but it seems the network is on track to roll it out before the end of summer. That’s according to LightReading, which notes that it will be offered on “the market’s most popular new handsets.” There’s still no more specific date than this summer, but that at least means we should have it within the next few months. The networks VoLTE service has already been trialled in rural Oxfordshire and it’s set to allow people to make and receive calls over 4G, which will both improve the quality of calls and mean people can stay in touch in more places. EE’s Wi-Fi calling service does a similar thing, but as it’s dependent on Wi-Fi you’re more limited in where you can use it, especially as it won’t switch to a mobile signal when you move out of Wi-Fi range, instead cutting off the call. VoLTE on the other hand should allow users to switch to a 2G or 3G signal without dropping the call if they move out of a 4G area. With a summer launch on the cards it looks like EE could be the first UK network to offer VoLTE, but Vodafone will likely be hot on its heels as it’s also announced plans to roll VoLTE out this summer, while Three aims to offer a VoLTE service by the end of September. There’s no word yet on if or when O2 will launch a VoLTE service, but with all its competitors doing so it must surely be something it’s working on.

14-07-2015, 16:36	#2
fletchem Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,187	This is good for me... for all the wrong reasons. My phone often fails to switch from 4G to 2/3G for voice calls, so I get a text message saying I missed a call. If VoLTE does get rolled, it means I can finally stay on 4G all the time.

14-07-2015, 16:43	#3
Denco1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 983	Great news if this actually happens. Going from no VoLTE in the UK to three networks in less than a quarter will be a huge achievement. Let's hope interconnect between EE and Three is smooth sailing. I will probably sell my LG G4 and buy a Galaxy S6 and just flash the relevant WiFi calling/VoLTE files. I was hoping the LG G4 would be supported by all carriers but I doubt that will be the case.

14-07-2015, 16:47	#4
Zebb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 652	Mmm, when they say “the market’s most popular new handsets.”, I hope they don't use it as an excuse to upsell new handsets. Hope there's a list soon.

14-07-2015, 16:56	#5
Stereo Steve Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,378	Lets hope it works as well as Wifi calling has.

14-07-2015, 17:07	#6
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by Zebb Mmm, when they say “the market’s most popular new handsets.”, I hope they don't use it as an excuse to upsell new handsets. Hope there's a list soon. Don't expect Gs4 and below.

14-07-2015, 17:08	#7
WelshBluebird Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 720	Wonder if they will actually expand the number of devices compatible with it (I am guessing it will be the same devices that work with WiFi Calling) by giving software updates to older devices or not. If not, Three may have an advantage judging by the rumored list of their supported devices. Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 Don't expect Gs4 and below. So much for that then!

14-07-2015, 17:11	#8
Denco1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 983	And O2 plan to trial VoLTE Q4 and launch next year, BINGO full house

14-07-2015, 17:15	#9
Zebb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 652	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 Don't expect Gs4 and below. Moto 4G?

14-07-2015, 17:17	#10
Denco1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 983	Quote: Originally Posted by Zebb Moto 4G? It can't do VoLTE on any network at the moment, 5.2 might change that though.

14-07-2015, 17:35	#11
joemcd Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 102	I wonder is this one of the reasons why they seem to be the last network out there to have the 5.1.1 update for the S6? They would have to have a software update to enable it on Android so rather than have 2 updates this summer, just have one. On a separate note, I wonder will they launch it with an even higher bitrate like T-Mobile do? 23.85kbps versus the standard 12.65kbps on 3g.

14-07-2015, 18:27	#12
Synthetic42 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,510	5.1.1 is taking so long cause they're working with Samsung to work out the wifi calling bugs. Source

14-07-2015, 18:54	#13
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	Quote: Originally Posted by Synthetic42 5.1.1 is taking so long cause they're working with Samsung to work out the wifi calling bugs. Source Are they the bugs which caused the battery drain on T Mobile USA?

14-07-2015, 19:19	#14
Synthetic42 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,510	Quote: Originally Posted by lightspeed2398 Are they the bugs which caused the battery drain on T Mobile USA? They appear to be the audio quality, crackles and pops that myself and (it seems) a lot of others with the S6 experienced

14-07-2015, 19:25	#15
Zebb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 652	Quote: Originally Posted by Denco1 It can't do VoLTE on any network at the moment, 5.2 might change that though. So you're saying VoLTE can be enabled in software rather than needing a hardware chip? Good to know we're catching up with Cambodia; 'Cambodia have announced the world's first commercial 100% VoLTE service'.

14-07-2015, 19:32	#16
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by Stereo Steve Lets hope it works as well as Wifi calling has. WC and VoLTE actually both use the same codec. The only difference is the mode of transport. One WiFi the other LTE. This is why WC to VoLTE and VoLTE to WC handover will be so simple. It will be no different than how you can log into a website and then switch connections your end (in my case from ADSL to EE3G) on the fly without the website noticing. The network will have to do NOTHING. No CS handover communication, no channel selecting, no 2G/3G switching. The handset will simply switch from WiFi to LTE, IMS won't notice and the call will continue.

14-07-2015, 19:38	#17
Denco1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 983	Quote: Originally Posted by Zebb So you're saying VoLTE can be enabled in software rather than needing a hardware chip? Good to know we're catching up with Cambodia; 'Cambodia have announced the world's first commercial 100% VoLTE service'. No no, it still requires both software and hardware to be compatible, but nearly all mid to high range LTE have a compatible modem, the problem with the Moto G 4G is currently stock android doesn't have the correct code to do WiFi Calling or VoLTE this has to be added to the software version for each model/carrier by the manufactuer. With Motorola having nearly stock phones this is a problem, but Android 5.2 may change this as it has new APIs for provisioning and such.

14-07-2015, 19:48	#18
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	Will VoLTE have an effect on battery? If a phone isn't connected to both the voice and data cores of the network awaiting the signal for CSFB surely it will give better battery life?

14-07-2015, 19:58	#20
Denco1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 983	In release 11 rSRVCC is a feature, reverse SRVCC so circuit switched back to packet switched but I doubt EE will be using that for a while if at all, I'm not even sure any operator is yet.

14-07-2015, 20:35	#21
RAN Man Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 249	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke The network will have to do NOTHING. No CS handover communication, no channel selecting, no 2G/3G switching. The handset will simply switch from WiFi to LTE, IMS won't notice and the call will continue. Ermmmm. It might have to do a bit, like set up a whole new connection through the LTE radio and core network to the IMS servers.

14-07-2015, 20:39	#22
RAN Man Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 249	Quote: Originally Posted by lightspeed2398 Will VoLTE have an effect on battery? If a phone isn't connected to both the voice and data cores of the network awaiting the signal for CSFB surely it will give better battery life? There's no signalling from the phone when in LTE to maintain the Voice core capability. This is all done from the LTE core (MME), so no, there's no battery gain from this.

DS Forums

VoLTE is coming from EE before the end of summer

14-07-2015, 20:44	#23
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by RAN Man Ermmmm. It might have to do a bit, like set up a whole new connection through the LTE radio and core network to the IMS servers. Yeah yeah yeah, alright. You know what I mean. Come on, give me a break, it's not even Friday yet!!!! Hahahahaha Yes it will have to provide an Internet connection and yes IMS is pretty complex but there is none of that damned mast to handset jiggery pokery of selecting the correct channel and technology and trying to transfer from TDMA to WCDMA and back and all the things that can go wrong there. The simplification and power saving in the EnodeBs and the handsets if switching was ditched tomorrow would be immense. Come on, give me that one.....

14-07-2015, 20:51	#24
RAN Man Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 249	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Yeah yeah yeah, alright. You know what I mean. Come on, give me a break, it's not even Friday yet!!!! Hahahahaha Yes it will have to provide an Internet connection and yes IMS is pretty complex but there is none of that damned mast to handset jiggery pokery of selecting the correct channel and technology and trying to transfer from TDMA to WCDMA and back and all the things that can go wrong there. The simplification and power saving in the EnodeBs and the handsets if switching was ditched tomorrow would be immense. Come on, give me that one..... Yes, Handover between 2 different OFDMA based systems, using a dual stack, with a voice gap of <200ms so no one notices, when you have no control over the Wifi one, is clearly a piece of piss!

14-07-2015, 21:37	#25
enapace Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 4,249	I think we all realise that what is happening now is a massive revolution in Mobile Communications. In the next two years we will have the best communication solution we have ever had. WiFi Calling/VoLTE handoff 90% Geographic Coverage and hopefully a competitive market. It is going take time for the device support to catch up I totally don't regret getting my iPhone 6, Apple for once are certainly ahead of the game getting a device out that would allow networks around the world to implement this service. Android support will be fragmented for a long while.