Nokia Networks recently completed its fastest implementation of voice over LTE technology, completing a roll-out for United Arab Emirates-based Du in under 80 days. If the push for VoLTE continues, the telecom equipment-maker might have to keep moving quickly.
Nokia Networks put some of the recent surge in VoLTE onto the shoulders of Apple’s iPhone 6 smartphones, which, when launched earlier this month, included VoLTE support.
“Ever since the device announcement from Apple, it’s pushed development time even faster,” explained Jane Rygaard, head of CEM, OSS and Core marketing at Nokia Networks.
IPhone sales have taken off worldwide since its launch — Apple reported 39.3 million in total iPhone sales this quarter alone — which has in turn prompted operators to speed up their plans for launching VoLTE.
While VoLTE has been talked about for some time, just six months ago the activity was mostly relegated to the U.S. where Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US have already launched service. In the summer, Nokia Networks saw some activity in Asia, but most of the company’s clients outside the U.S. were only planning and testing. Apple changed that.
The Du project is the first commercial network in the Middle East, but Nokia Networks said it is working with two operators in the region that will soon launch. This investment is notable, considering LTE use in general is fairly low in the Middle East, although there is potential for growth in the region, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
VoLTE, which allows high-definition calls to be sent over an LTE network, has many advantages for carriers as well as users. VoLTE provides a variety of efficiencies for operators, including lower overall data volume consumption and a decreased signaling load on networks.
More importantly, VoLTE offers operators a way to compete with over-the-top players like Skype. One of the main limitations of voice apps like Skype is that both the call initiator and receiver have to be on the app at the same time, and users often have to make appointments to call each other.
With VoLTE, users can connect with anyone, even if the other person isn’t on LTE, just like making a regular phone call. But with LTE, a VoLTE call can combine voice and video in high definition with more clarity and more continuity than a voice app — and the caller can move with the phone without fear of dropping the call.
VoLTE also provides a faster connection, so fast that Nokia said it had a client request to put in a delay because the speed of the connection surprised customers.
With the increasing demand from operators, Nokia Networks will no doubt be working on its own speed for implementing VoLTE, trying to replicate the fast turnaround it achieved with Du. With more than 6.5 million customers, Du is a fast growing operator in the region and operates with a multivendor network. The key, Rygaard said, was working very closely with Du on the design.
Without going into specifics, Rygaard said Nokia Networks did learn some lessons from the implementation, but cautioned that no two networks in the world are the same. “Every project is unique,” she said.
If Nokia Networks’ experience is any indication, there will be soon be a lot more unique VoLTE launches in the Middle East and around the world.
“There has been a lot of talk for a lot of years about when voice over LTE will get here. Now we are getting there,” Rygaard said.
