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Three beats EE to it with launch of UK's first VoLTE service


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Old 16-09-2015, 13:15
benster
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Taken from http://m.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2425950/three-beats-ee-to-it-with-launch-of-uks-first-volte-serviceUK

MOBILE OPERATOR Three has beat rival EE to it with the launch of Voice over LTE (VoLTE), or 'Super-Voice' as the firm has decided to call it.
Three's Super-Voice service will boost mobile coverage indoors and in rural locations by using low-frequency 800MHz spectrum which is better at penetrating buildings and can travel greater distances, according to the operator.
Three claimed that its 800MHz network covers 50 percent of the population, including the majority of London, Edinburgh, Exeter and Birmingham. That figure is expected to jump to 65 percent by the end of the year as the firm extends to more towns and cities, including Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol.
This doesn't mean that much of the population will be able to use Super-Voice just yet, however, as a VoLTE-compatible phone is need to take advantage. Three told us that the Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G4 and unspecified Xperia handsets will be the first to gain Super-Voice functionality at launch.
Three said that new handsets will be added to its Super-Voice line-up regularly, including the new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. The operator also told us that last year's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will receive support later in the year, and that more Android phones will be added within the next month.
Three said it expects that up to 5.5 million customers could have access to 4G Super-Voice by 2017, subject to device compatibility and take up.
Bryn Jones, chief technology officer at Three, added: "By the end of the year, one million of our customers will have access to better indoor coverage and be able to use their phones in more places than ever before. We are proud to be the first network to roll this out across the country."
Three has beat its rivals to the punch, but EE and Vodafone are unlikely to be far behind as both have previously confirmed that a launch this summer was on the cards. No exact dates have been mentioned.
EE and Vodafone have one up on Three when it comes to their respective WiFi calling apps, however, as Three's InTouch offering is unable to hand off between a mobile and WiFi connection.
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Old 16-09-2015, 13:16
packages
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This info is all in the Three Thread

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2077072
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Old 17-09-2015, 10:25
Chrysalis
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well to be fair a 41 page thread is a lot of stuff to search through so I thank him/her for the new thread.

Whats the advantage of volte?

e.g. does 800mhz 4g have better penetration than 2g?
does it have better battery life?
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Old 17-09-2015, 10:39
DevonBloke
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Whats the advantage of volte?

e.g. does 800mhz 4g have better penetration than 2g?
does it have better battery life?
AMR-WB (HD Voice) + more robust connection (hopefully).

Yes, on Three and EE at least 800 will reach further than 1800 and even 900 2G.

Maybe, maybe not. It's a slow 4G data connection. Up to around 30Kbps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adapti...-Rate_Wideband
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Old 17-09-2015, 10:42
The Lord Lucan
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Worse battery life currently.
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Old 17-09-2015, 11:02
enapace
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AMR-WB (HD Voice) + more robust connection (hopefully).

Yes, on Three and EE at least 800 will reach further than 1800 and even 900 2G.

Maybe, maybe not. It's a slow 4G data connection. Up to around 30Kbps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adapti...-Rate_Wideband
VoLTE can use a higher quality codec than HDVoice I know for example AT&T are running a lower codec than T-Mobile US. Not sure about Verizon would need check.

But imagine as Three seemed to have rushed this out then they have probably used normal HDVoice,
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Old 17-09-2015, 13:16
Chrysalis
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I just read it will need carrier specific software updates to phones, oh dear. It seems carriers want to use wifi calling and volte as lock ins to their devices.
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Old 17-09-2015, 13:19
jonmorris
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I wrote this to try and explain things as simple as possible (not sure I managed!)

http://jmcomms.com/2015/09/15/three-...e-limitations/

So far, as for the unconfirmed Xperia phones bit, on their blog they've ruled out the Z3 so I assume therefore it will ONLY be the Z5 family, and even then only the models Three ranges. So that effectively means anyone stumping up for the Z5 Premium will be stuffed.
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Old 17-09-2015, 14:09
DevonBloke
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VoLTE can use a higher quality codec than HDVoice I know for example AT&T are running a lower codec than T-Mobile US. Not sure about Verizon would need check.

But imagine as Three seemed to have rushed this out then they have probably used normal HDVoice,
I think there's a WB+ codec that does up around 50Kbps.
Standard WB is somewhere under 30Kbps I think.
No idea which they are using.
It'll be whatever they are using for WiFi Calling.
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Old 17-09-2015, 14:23
moox
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I'd guess that 3 will be using the same codec as "HD voice" (or the standard GSM codecs for non HD calls) to avoid the need to transcode to a different codec, which can be resource intensive, especially when you're having to do it thousands or millions of times simultaneously. If both ends of the call are on VoLTE or whatever, then they can use the best possible codec that both sides support

That's how it works with other voice/video over IP systems
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Old 17-09-2015, 14:39
hybridtheory
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Hi

Does Three have any plans of launching WiFi Calling, instead of having to use a Home Signal box?

Thanks

Baz
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Old 17-09-2015, 14:47
Synthetic42
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Hi

Does Three have any plans of launching WiFi Calling, instead of having to use a Home Signal box?

Thanks

Baz
Three In Touch

If you mean natively, then not yet.
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Old 17-09-2015, 14:47
DevonBloke
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They haven't said so (I don't think) but I'm sure they'll get around to it one day...
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Old 17-09-2015, 15:10
enapace
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They haven't said so (I don't think) but I'm sure they'll get around to it one day...
Agreed they would be fools not to specially once people see Vodafone/EE doing WiFi Calling/VoLTE Handoff without a problem. Maybe that is just my wishful thinking but it should eventually happen.
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Old 17-09-2015, 16:31
Stereo Steve
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They'll have to surely? There's talk of getting the app to work over 4G etc. but they should really be stopping work on that and going for proper wifi calling. Hopefully for PAYG customers too!
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Old 17-09-2015, 18:19
Broken Hope
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Doesn't VoLTE and Wifi Calling use basically the same technology? Surely if they support VoLTE then supporting Wifi Calling should be easier for them?
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Old 18-09-2015, 12:18
nafanny29
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I wrote this to try and explain things as simple as possible (not sure I managed!)

http://jmcomms.com/2015/09/15/three-...e-limitations/

So far, as for the unconfirmed Xperia phones bit, on their blog they've ruled out the Z3 so I assume therefore it will ONLY be the Z5 family, and even then only the models Three ranges. So that effectively means anyone stumping up for the Z5 Premium will be stuffed.
Great article.

I get the feeling Three are slowly becoming a bit greedy, arrogant and less caring about their customers.
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Old 18-09-2015, 12:34
Stereo Steve
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The first reply to your article shows that people still don't get it. He doesn't need VoLTE, just wants 4G800 on his phone for data. Even when carefully explained, most people are not going to see why this might be an issue. Hence the networks are going to have to be very careful how they roll out and market this.

I don't see EE doing anything much different when they roll it out. They may have a lot more of the lose ends sorted but then they are in a stronger position with their current network. 3 kind of HAD to do something.

Anyway, in 2 year's time all this moaning about 3 will be academic. Pretty much all phones will be compatible and you will be able to pick up an old S5 or iPhone 6 for £50 if you want.

I don't think 3 are being greedy at all. I don't see how that is the case.
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Old 18-09-2015, 13:03
DevonBloke
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Doesn't VoLTE and Wifi Calling use basically the same technology? Surely if they support VoLTE then supporting Wifi Calling should be easier for them?
They use the same audio codec (AMR-WB) but the technologies to transport it are very different.
Ultimately they both end up in an IMS server which has the unenviable task of joining all the new Packet switched systems to the old Circuit switched systems and of course out into the global telephony network.
Probably gets really hot... lot of fans.....
: )
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Old 18-09-2015, 13:11
d123
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Pretty much all phones will be compatible and you will be able to pick up an old S5 or iPhone 6 for £50 if you want .
I very much doubt that will happen, the equivalent 2 year old iPhone today is the 5S and it still sells for a lot more than £50...
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Old 18-09-2015, 13:42
Stereo Steve
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You can pick up an iPhone 5 for well under 100 if you know which forums to look on and that's 2 generations back from the 6 so maybe a little more than 50 for an Iphone but not much. A lot of the compatible Android hardware will be available very cheaply.
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Old 18-09-2015, 14:03
d123
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You can pick up an iPhone 5 for well under 100 if you know which forums to look on and that's 2 generations back from the 6 so maybe a little more than 50 for an Iphone but not much.
No, the iPhone 5 is 3 years ago, 2 years ago was the 5S and last year was the 6.

To get even an iPhone 5 (in good working and cosmetic condition) for under £100 (which is still a lot more than the quoted £50) is a rarity. Just look at one of the bigger on line forums like AVForums shows that they still go for £120-150 normally.

What is the forum you look at where you consistently see good working order/good cosmetic condition iPhone 5's selling for "well under £100"?

Edit, just checked Mazuma, their buy in price is still £100 for the iPhone 5 16GB, I would have to suppose your forum is that well known www.thievesandpickpockets.com .

http://www.mazumamobile.com/sell-my-...ne-5-16gb/1959
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Old 18-09-2015, 14:12
jonmorris
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I get the feeling Three are slowly becoming a bit greedy, arrogant and less caring about their customers.
That's what the parent company wants. It makes the current 'make it right' campaign seem even more odd, but ultimately Three has to start making money and acting more like the big boys - not the small time player that wants to disrupt the market.

Over the years, it's clear that when Three has tried to shake things up the 'big boys' have looked down and laughed and carried on as normal.

Now Three has figured it may as well join them. Hence many backtracks and u-turns on things that made Three stand out.

In many ways it was needed. With ever increasing data usage, Three needs to keep investing heavily to cope and it wouldn't have been doing that by continuing to let people get unlimited data including tethering for £15 a month.
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Old 18-09-2015, 14:39
Stereo Steve
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No, the iPhone 5 is 3 years ago, 2 years ago was the 5S and last year was the 6.

To get even an iPhone 5 (in good working and cosmetic condition) for under £100 (which is still a lot more than the quoted £50) is a rarity. Just look at one of the bigger on line forums like AVForums shows that they still go for £120-150 normally.

What is the forum you look at where you consistently see good working order/good cosmetic condition iPhone 5's selling for "well under £100"?

Edit, just checked Mazuma, their buy in price is still £100 for the iPhone 5 16GB, I would have to suppose your forum is that well known www.thievesandpickpockets.com .

http://www.mazumamobile.com/sell-my-...ne-5-16gb/1959
Martin Dawes
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Old 18-09-2015, 15:47
d123
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Have you got an actual link to a sale? If there are so many for sale well under £100 it sounds like a profit making opportunity as CEX will pay up to £129, Mazuma £100, envirofone £101 and Mobilecashmate are at £107.

http://mobilevaluer.com/mobile/worki...iphone-5-16gb/

If it's possible to buy loads at £50 each there is quite a profit to be made.
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