The new offering will enable the telco to improve quality of mobile service in the two markets
U.K.-based mobile operator Vodafone announced plans to deploy voice-over-LTE technology in Italy and Spain this month. The company said the technology will improve the quality of its mobile service in the two markets.
In Spain, VoLTE is already available nationwide and free to Vodafone customers with compatible handsets. The service can be used on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, LG G3, LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S5.
Vodafone Spain also said it will add more VoLTE compatible devices to its portfolio in the coming months.
In Spain, Vodafone’s LTE network infrastructure currently covers nearly 75% of the country’s population. LTE technology was initially launched in May 2013, and the telco’s LTE customer base totaled 2.9 million subscribers as of March 2015. In January, Vodafone Spain started offering LTE through the 800 MHz spectrum band.
Meanwhile, Vodafone Italy plans to launch VoLTE on July 16. The service will also be offered at no extra charge to customers with compatible handsets. At the end of March 2015, Vodafone Italy had a total of 2.8 million subscribers, with its LTE network covering 84% of the country’s population. The telco had launched its LTE service in November 2014. The service is offered through spectrum in both 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands.
Vodafone Germany to expand LTE infrastructure in rural areas
In related news, the German subsidiary of Vodafone announced plans to expand its LTE network to an additional 4 million households by mid-2016. Through this expansion, the company will be able to increase its 4G service to 90% of the population. Vodafone Germany said that this expansion will benefit rural areas of the country as well as other areas with no access to the company’s fixed broadband infrastructure. The 4G service currently covers over 75% of Germany and is available in around 85% of all large towns and cities.
