As Wi-Fi hot spots proliferate and mobile operators transition to IP-based networks, voice over Wi-Fi is emerging as a viable way for service providers to increase coverage. Regional operators and mobile virtual network operators are looking at Wi-Fi as a way to compete with larger players who hold more spectrum.
“Mobile operators and MVNOs worldwide are realizing the growing importance of Wi-Fi calling as a value-added service that solves real-world coverage issues for incumbents, and provides a fast, cost effective on-ramp to advanced voice and messaging services for new providers,” said Gary Sarson, VP of business development for Taqua, which provides the virtual mobile core to support Sprint’s voice-over-Wi-Fi services. Taqua recently announced a new partnerships in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.
Among the major U.S. operators, only Sprint and T-Mobile US have launched voice-over-Wi-Fi. T-Mobile US supports seamless handover between Wi-Fi and cellular; Sprint does not. Wi-Fi first operator Republic Wireless offers handoffs from Wi-Fi to cellular, as does Google Fi, which uses the Sprint and T-Mobile US networks.
After Apple announced support for Wi-Fi calling in iOS 8 last fall, both AT&T and Verizon Wireless said that they would soon offer the service. AT&T said Wi-Fi calling would be ready before the end of 2015; Verizon Wireless did not specify a time frame.
AT&T and Verizon Wireless may be waiting until their voice-over-LTE rollouts are further along before they launch voice-over-Wi-Fi for customers. Since Wi-Fi uses IP networks and LTE does as well, the most seamless handoff will be between Wi-Fi and LTE.
Of course some smaller operators have not launched LTE, much less voice over LTE, and these are just the operators who might benefit most from voice over Wi-Fi. Customers who work outside a regional operator’s coverage area, for example, might be able to use Wi-Fi to make calls at work. These operators are exploring the virtual mobile core solutions offered by providers like Taqua, Interop Tecnologies and Mavenir.
For more on voice over Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi offloading, read the complimentary RCR Wireless feature report and watch the on-demand webinar featuring Republic Wireless, InterDigital Communications, Ixia and Senza Fili Consulting.
