VoLTE: what is it in a smartphone? What is VoLTE and on which smartphones does it work? A vo lte icon has appeared how to turn it off

Note. To use VoLTE, your device must have specialized system software from your carrier installed, and your subscription (including SIM card) must support VoLTE service for your device model. To find out if your device, software, subscription, and SIM card support VoLTE service, contact your network operator.

Android™ 8.0

Enable VoLTE

1. Find and tap Settings > Network and Internet > Mobile network > Network type > LTE or 4G (preferred)/3G/GSM.
2. Enable VoLTE Enable VoLTE

Android™ 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 7.0, 7.1 or 7.1.1

Enable VoLTE

1. Make sure your Xperia™ device model and your subscription support VoLTE.
2. Find and tap Settings > More > Mobile network > Network type > LTE or 4G (preferred)/3G/GSM.
3. Tap the switch next to Enable VoLTE to enable VoLTE. If item Enable VoLTE missing, contact your network operator.

Surely one of the readers has already seen or heard the combination of letters VoLTE. Let's figure out what it hides under itself and how relevant it is today in Russia.

VoLTE - what is it?

VoLTE has a simple definition - it is a voice transmission technology in LTE networks (the second name is 4G). Accordingly, it is only available on smartphones with 4G support. VoLTE based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Its innovation is that the technology allows telecom operators to provide voice services by delivering them from addresser to addressee as a data stream in LTE networks, which causes its higher capacity and higher quality than when making a call using 2G or 3G.

VoLTE translation is fully consistent with the definition. The combination of letters means Voice over LTE, which translates from English as "Voice over LTE".

The technology is not the latest - it was presented by the Singaporean corporation SingTel back in May 2014. Initially, VoLTE was supported by only one gadget - Samsung Since 2015, telecom operators around the world, including Russian ones, have become actively interested in the technology.

Technology Benefits

Answering the question: "VoLTE - what is it?", Let's touch on the most important advantages of the invention:

1. Each call to the subscriber will be 2 seconds shorter - this is how much it takes to switch the smartphone from 4G to 3G mode when making a call to the addressee. Now the gadget does not need to do such a manipulation.
2. Improving the quality of communication, minimizing interference, voice distortion.
3. While subscribers are talking using LTE VoLTE, their gadgets can transfer data at the maximum speed of 4G - as you remember, devices no longer need to "go down" to 3G.
4. An increase in the number of subscribers who will have the opportunity to simultaneously maintain communication with one tower - the base station. This advantage, so far noticed only by telecom operators, will be remembered by subscribers with a kind word on New Year and other holidays - many are faced with the fact that they cannot get through to relatives and friends just the same because of the exorbitant load on the mentioned tower. Now, in the era of VoLTE, a base station can support three times as many subscribers.

Disadvantages of VoLTE

Le VoLTE also has a couple of drawbacks that are also important to note:

1. The new technology implies a somewhat greater load on the smartphone, as a result of which it will discharge a little faster during a call.
2. LTE towers are mainly installed in cities and large settlements. Therefore, on the highway, in nature and recreation centers, in villages, etc., communication may be lost. To reach a certain subscriber, the user will have to manually switch his smartphone to 3G or even EDGE, GPRS - to a mode that is supported in the area. It is possible that gadget developers will soon "teach" their devices to perform this action automatically if necessary.

VoLTE in Russia

In Russia, the new technology today is in the following status:

• The large Russian operator Megafon provides its subscribers living in Moscow and the Moscow region with VoLTE technology. It is not available to all owners of gadgets that support 4G, but only to those who have some models of iPnone, Sony and a number of other manufacturers. The "Call to 4G" service (another name is "HD-voice in 4G") is connected automatically. If this does not happen, then you should seek help by calling the support service numbers.
• In Beeline, VoLTE is available to subscribers connected to tariffs with a postpaid system. It is provided only on certain models of gadgets - their list can be found on the official website of the company. You can try out the new technology by contacting the Beeline subscriber service.
• MTS provides its subscribers with a similar service - VoWiFi/VoWLAN (call using Wi-Fi). Owners of the latest Samsung Galaxy models (A5-2016, J5 Prime, Edge, S8, S8+) as well as Sony Xperia XZs can enjoy it.
• The telecom operator Tele2 for subscribers of the city of Moscow also made it possible to make a call using VoLTE technology. However, he did it selectively - so far only for owners of devices released directly by Tele2: Midi LTE, Maxi LTE, Maxi Plus. Activating the service with this operator is simple - you just need to dial the command *219*1#. Some users were able to set up voice transmission on their phones running on MTK chipsets manually. The operator also provides its subscribers with VoWiFi/VoWLAN. To make a call using this technology, the user should download a special application.

Let's analyze the innovation in more detail using the example of a number of telecom operators.

VoLTE and Megafon

The first in Russia to receive an answer to the question: "VoLTE - what is it?" Subscribers of "MegaFon" could do it. In September 2016, owners of Sony Xperia (X, X Compact, X Performance, XZ) began to use the innovative technology.

In April 2017, it was the turn of the owners of the latest iPhone models, on whose phones the OS update was installed no later than 10.3.1. The service is provided by default free of charge to subscribers of the entire line of Megafon tariff plans.

VoLTE technology for MTS regional subscribers

If Beeline, Megafon and Tele2 have not yet announced that they plan to access VoLTE regions in their networks, then MTS shares news about the prospects for a much larger launch of the technology. Already in 2017, the invention is expected to be tested in a number of regions of Russia: St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk and Vladivostok. Their inhabitants will soon try for themselves what it is - VoLTE.

As already mentioned, the operator has made Wi-Fi Calling technology available to subscribers of the capital and the Moscow region. It happened in November 2016 - the technology was open only to owners of a limited number of Samsung and Sony models. Today, the operator plans to expand the range of supporting devices to include phones from manufacturers such as Asus, Alcatel, HTC, LeEco, ZTE. Their owners will also soon find out everything about VoLTE: what it is and what it is used for.

The situation with the iPhone is ambiguous - the latest models of such devices support VoLTE by default, but work in the networks of a mobile operator only after giving direct permission from Apple to MTS.

VoLTE on iPhone

Today, the mentioned technology is available to owners of the iPhone 6 and newer. We will tell you how to carry out detailed VoLTE settings on these phones:

1. Go to the "General" section in the phone settings, find the "Software update" item. Once in it, make sure your iOS version is higher than 10.3. Otherwise, update the system.
2. After these manipulations, in the same basic settings, find the "About device" tab, then information about the operator. Supports VoLTE operator version not lower than 28.3 (for Megafon, Beeline). Upgrade to this level if possible.
3. After the reboot, you should re-enter "Settings" - "Cellular". In the "Data Options" item in the "Voice and Data" tab, check the box for LTE.
4. Restart your iPhone again.
5. With the mobile Internet turned on (make sure that you are in the 4G - LTE coverage area), make a call to another subscriber. If the LTE icon does not disappear, and the Internet is working properly, then you have currently tried the new Voice over LTE technology.

VoLTE is the latest voice transmission technology in modern smartphones with 4G support - the fastest internet available from mobile operators at the moment. The invention allows not only to improve the quality of communication and connection speed, but also to increase the capabilities of the base stations of telecom operators.

In 2012, I noticed that some of my acquaintances when making calls on a mobile phone became much better heard than everyone else. The difference was so significant that I began to ask the interlocutors - what kind of phones they use (it was easier then with the definition of the operator due to the lack of the possibility of porting the number). It turned out that we are talking about a bunch of smartphones Sony Xperia and MTS, which began to introduce HD Voice technology. Then I found out that since 2010 HD Voice has been working for MegaFon, but for some reason I didn’t notice a similar contrast, although he was the main operator at that moment.

The human voice is in the range from 80 to 14,000 hertz, but before HD Voice it was placed in the Procrustean bed of 300-3400 Hz, which, of course, was hard not to notice. HD Voice extended the range to 50-7000 Hz. It's not ideal either, but much, much better.

For some reason, they saw HD Voice on the Beeline website like this

Over time, the list of smartphones that support HD Voice has expanded significantly, and today it is difficult to find a device that would not be able to do this. But still, the voice does not always sound good enough. Especially as operators introduce priorities for Internet traffic, and the voice has to be content with the rest of the bandwidth. Messengers “sound” better, but, as they say, there is no stability.

I discussed this topic while working on the project "Russia at the speed of digital", and I was advised to try VoLTE technology. Using the rough language of Wikipedia, I will say that this is “Voice over LTE technology based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Allows you to provide voice services and deliver them as a data stream over LTE. VoLTE has three times the voice and data capacity of 3G UMTS networks and up to six times that of 2G GSM networks. It also frees up bandwidth because packet headers are smaller than non-optimized VoIP/LTE.”

At the time of this writing (March 5, 2018), VoLTE really and officially only works with MegaFon. Beeline launched support in Moscow on six rather exotic smartphones, but then turned it off on them too. Tele2 VoLTE seems to function on three smartphones released under its own brand, but they are so dead (in the sense of smartphones) that I didn’t really want to buy for the test. MegaFon has an impressive list (), and it includes the flagships of Apple, LG, Samsung and even Nokia. According to unofficial data, VoLTE is enabled on some ZTEs. Taking into account the fact that to use VoLTE in MegaFon it is enough just to have a SIM card with 4G + support, there are plenty of opportunities to test the technology in action.

But why?

If you think that VoLTE is just an improvement in voice quality, then no, everything is somewhat more interesting.

Firstly, during a call, Internet access is not interrupted. And if during a normal call, when the smartphone is in hand, this is not particularly critical, then when using online navigation, having access to the Network is very important.

Secondly, the connection establishment speed is reduced drastically. Sometimes just instantly, sometimes you have to wait 1-2 seconds. It's just nice.

And, thirdly, yes - the voice is really better. This is especially noticeable with MegaFon, which has long prioritized the Internet, which is why ordinary voice calls have acquired a strong taste of metal. When making calls over LTE, naturalness returns.

I was interested in the question - how does using VoLTE affect battery life? The forums say that either nothing, or it works a little longer. Looking ahead a little, I will say that my impression is rather closer to “no way”. But no less is good.

Also, the use of technology does not affect the costs, everything remains within the selected tariff plan. Internet traffic used for voice does not result in the consumption of an Internet package.

For the operator, the benefit of VoLTE is the ability to use frequencies more efficiently (remember the tripled voice capacity). Those with lots of prepaid minutes usually use fairly modern handsets, and if you drag them to LTE, everyone will feel better.

Where does it work?

At the moment, experiments with VoLTE for all operators are limited to Moscow and the Moscow region. When leaving for neighboring regions, the magic disappears. Also, a SIM card from another region, once in Moscow, will not start supporting VoLTE.

If the other party in the network of the same carrier does not have a VoLTE-enabled smartphone, the voice quality will not improve, but the connection speed will still be fast, and the ability to transfer data during a call will not disappear. When calling a subscriber of another operator, only the Internet during the conversation will be a bonus, because the connection speed already depends not only on your operator.

If a person calls you from an outdated device (or operator), your voice will still go over LTE, but the codec will be used as usual. Therefore, the voice quality will not increase.

Go!

Armed with all this knowledge, I went to the MegaFon salon for a SIM card. Employees were not very aware of how to make VoLTE work. In particular, it is not clear from the official description whether any tariff is suitable or only the option from the new “Turn On” set. For greater reliability, I connected “Turn on! Write."

The first experience of immersing in VoLTE was not very successful: despite the fact that the LG G6 (870DS) is on the list of supported ones, the technology did not work. Neither an item appeared in the menu, nor a characteristic icon in the service line. I rearranged the SIM card in the Sony Xperia XZ Premium, and that's where everything was picked up. This, of course, is a little strange, but oh well.

MegaFon honestly warns that the services “Personal beep”, “AntiAON”, “One-time AntiAON” and “Who called +” do not work in VoLTE mode. As far as I understand, the point is that the traffic goes through LTE, and the existing equipment cannot match it with some services. In the future, these restrictions will probably disappear.

It is easy to find out about the presence of VoLTE on the Sony Xperia XZ Premium by the impressive size of the logo in the service line. When switching to a 3G and 2G network, the logo disappears. The active call is not interrupted, but the voice quality is changed. In general, no wonder: in this case, the codec is replaced from AMR WB (Adaptive multi rate wide band, also known as G.722.2) to AM NB (Adaptive multi rate narrow band).

As for the call quality in VoLTE mode, it is really excellent. The frequency range expands to 16,000 Hz, which is even more than necessary to convey all shades of voice. The bitrate depends on the specific device and the settings of the network segment, so fluctuations are possible within the range from 12.65 to 23.85 Kbps. Audiophiles may shudder a little after such numbers, but still the voice is not a jazz concert, and that's enough. The voice breathes, lives, and the difference with the sound of MegaFon in less advanced modes is very significant.

peep the future

In the comments to the post on Facebook, where I announced the start of experiments with VoLTE, I was told that MTS also has this technology. More precisely, it is being tested, but you can join without much effort. I don't know why this time the operator decided to launch the technology simultaneously with his colleagues. Perhaps they decided for once not to play catch-up, but to finish it so that it becomes available to the maximum number of customers and “makes friends” with already operating services. In the test mode, VoLTE from MTS is available on all current iPhones, starting with SE, as well as on Motorola Moto C Plus and some models of devices under its own brand. Inclusion requires iOS 11.3 public beta to be installed on iPhone.

I haven't experimented with betas on the iPhone for a long time. Since then, when they had to be downloaded and installed from a computer via a string. But now, after signing up for the beta testing program, everything comes over the air through the standard upgrade menu, which is nice.

The installation of the beta was even smoother than the other final version. No icons appeared in the service line, Apple does not like this. In fact, the only way to detect the VoLTE support of devices is the LTE icon during a call. And, of course, the rest of the goodies are a fast connection, Internet access via LTE during a call, and increased voice quality.

Together with iOS 11.3 Beta2, Wi-Fi Calling technology also came to the iPhone, which I have simply enjoyed since the days of the Samsung Galaxy S7, where it first appeared in conjunction with the MTS network. In the editorial office, the usual connection did not work very well at times, and with Wi-Fi, all problems immediately disappeared. Well, Wi-Fi Calling saved me a lot of money during my trips abroad, because the conditions of my home region apply with it, even if you do not connect any additional services to minimize costs. That is, incoming calls are free, outgoing calls use a regular package of minutes.

Already in the test mode, the iPhone during a call switches from VoLTE to Wi-Fi Calling and other standards smoothly and without interruptions. The codec in 3G and 2G, of course, changes. It is worth mentioning that it was with Wi-Fi Calling on the iPhone in iOS 11.3 Beta 2 that there were rough edges (long connection and very high requirements for the quality of the Wi-Fi signal, you had to stand right at the router), but already in Beta3 this was fixed in Beta4 didn't get worse.

When making calls within the Moscow MTS network, the voice quality is amazing, but given that the interlocutors communicate not only through one operator, but also using smartphones of an expensive brand, one should not expect another. When calling MegaFon subscribers with VoLTE connected, a funny picture is observed: it seems to work for each interlocutor, but somewhere along the way at the switch level everything is cut to the usual level. I am sure that one day operators will make special gateways, but so far, unfortunately, miracles of progress are possible only within one network.

Nothing is known about the restrictions on services in the MTS network. All the details will be in the official version of iOS 11.3, which is expected in mid-March.

Total

The tremendous progress in the field of mobile Internet over the past ten years has practically not affected the quality of voice transmission. Voice and data seemed to live in the same room, but did not communicate, but created a lot of inconvenience for each other. VoLTE eliminates this strange disharmony, allowing the operator to stop being torn between voice and data communications.

Of course, the complete victory of the new technology is still very far away. Beeline started experiments in 2015 and stopped them. Since September 2016, MegaFon has not gone beyond the Moscow Region, and not everything is going smoothly inside it. The "implementation" of Tele2 cannot be taken seriously. MTS also works only in Moscow and the Moscow region, and although the first impression is good (especially considering the expansion of Wi-Fi Calling support on the iPhone), it is too early to talk seriously about the quality of work before mass use.

From a user's point of view, switching from a regular codec to an AMR WB is like going from a cassette to a CD. And operators can be safely classified as well: this one also sells cassette players, and this one already sells CD players. Having compared it once, it will not pull back.

Now I wonder who will be the first to leave the Moscow region. What are your rates?

Looking through the list of characteristics of a smartphone, you can stumble upon a mention of VoLTE. With conventional LTE, everything is clear - this is a type of wireless communication that allows you to receive and transmit data at high speed. And VoLTE - what is it in the phone? In short, this is a technology that allows you to transmit not only traffic, but also voice over 4G networks. But let's touch on this topic in a little more detail.

Initially, cell phones were intended only for making calls, even the possibility of exchanging SMS messages did not appear immediately. Cellular networks of the first generation actually transmitted only voice, most often even in unencrypted form. Only with the advent of the 2G era did different data transmission standards appear, including GPRS, which is familiar to many. But priority in those days continued to be given to voice communications, so far very few mobile phone owners used the Internet connection.

Now the situation has changed dramatically. Each new cellular communication standard is geared towards ever-increasing data rates. It got to the point that the fourth generation (LTE) is completely sharpened only for the transmission of Internet traffic. Voice calls are still carried out via 2G or 3G, there are no other options. It wasn't until recently.

Key Benefits of VoLTE

Now almost all major cities have LTE networks. Theoretically, a smartphone could only work in them, without wasting energy on switching between different communication standards. However, an outgoing or incoming call forces the system to use the 3G connection. Each such synchronization takes some amount of charge. VoLTE technology solves this problem. This function, roughly speaking, is to transmit voice in digital form, using 4G networks for this. With the support of this technology, voice calls will no longer force the device to connect to legacy networks. And in the future, this (purely theoretically) will allow telecom operators to refuse support for 2G and 3G equipment. But for this, you need to wait until the population has no old mobile phones that do not have LTE support and, most importantly, VoLTE.

In fact, the new technology has other advantages:

• Fast connection. If the phone does not waste time switching to 2G or 3G, then the call is made noticeably faster. Sometimes the gain in speed reaches 30 seconds.
• Calls can become free. In fact, a conversation via VoLTE consumes only Internet traffic. If unlimited Internet is connected, then an outgoing call will not spend a single extra ruble. You can talk all day long.
• Enhance voice quality. No matter how high-quality microphone the smartphone is endowed with, everything spoils the 3G connection. With this communication standard, it is simply impossible to transmit ideal sound. And VoLTE is limited only by the stability of signal reception. If the device supports the HD Voice codec, then the voice will become voluminous, and extraneous noise will disappear.
• Increasing the capacity of cellular networks. A limited number of subscribers can connect to each 3G base. If the limit is reached, then the device connects to a more distant base, and the connection deteriorates. LTE equipment has three times the capacity of 3G and six times that of 2G.
• Simultaneous transmission of voice and traffic. When a telephone conversation is made, none of the applications can receive data from the global web. Receiving traffic will resume only after the subscriber hangs up. VoLTE technology has solved this problem - messages will continue to arrive in instant messengers even during a call.

Modern smartphones with VoLTE

Support for a new type of communication is available in many devices, even relatively inexpensive ones. For example, the corresponding technology is built into Xiaomi Redmi 4X. This smartphone is one of the most. People like the low price tag and optimal performance.

Of course, many are endowed with support for VoLTE technology. In theory, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Mi6 allow you to talk over LTE networks. VoLTE is also found in less expensive devices - for example, the Meizu M5 Note and iPhone SE are endowed with the corresponding technology.

Russian operators

If smartphone manufacturers already support voice over LTE with might and main, then this cannot be said about telecom operators. In Russia, it is still more profitable to use equipment that works with networks of past generations, reserving 4G only for Internet traffic. Progress is being made in this area, but very slowly. Here's how things are with different Russian operators:

• "Megaphone" launched VoLTE, but only in Moscow. Moreover, this function was initially allowed to be activated only by owners of smartphones and Apple. At the time of writing, the list of devices has expanded to almost 40 models, including synchronization with VoLTE is available on ZTE V8, Vertex Saturn and LG G6.
• MTS just testing new technology. Press releases have repeatedly stated that the commercial operation of VoLTE will be launched in 2018. It is assumed that a new type of communication will be available not only in Moscow.
• "Beeline" gave its Moscow subscribers the opportunity to try out VoLTE back in 2015. But testing was quickly completed, and since then there has been no news from VimpelCom. It is said that owners using Beeline services will soon be able to speak on VoLTE, but these are just rumors.
• Tele2 launched a new type of communication in April 2017, but only in Moscow. The list of supported smartphones is strictly limited. Moreover, you can feel the "super-quality" voice only when talking within the network.

Disabling VoLTE

Some people prefer to disable all modules that are not used for some reason. Deactivating VoLTE does not make sense, because this function does not consume additional amounts of energy. On the contrary, this technology will save battery power if the operator suddenly starts supporting it.

However, disabling VoLTE is very easy. To do this, follow the path: "Settings -> Connections -> Mobile networks -> VoLTE calls". Here it remains only to deactivate the corresponding switch. Please note that the path may be different on some smartphones.

Conclusion

When choosing a smartphone, you should not seriously pay attention to the VoLTE function, since Russian operators so far have only limited support for the technology. The exception is the residents of Moscow - it is easiest for them to use the new type of communication. However, technologies are developing, operators are gradually purchasing new equipment. It is possible that one day support for VoLTE technology will appear in your city. Therefore, an extra function will definitely not become.

Digital technologies are developing very quickly, and VoLTE is one of the clearest examples of such progress, however, few people know what it is in a phone.

In fact, this is a very useful communication standard in our time that works in cellular networks. It is noteworthy that it is fully compatible with 3G and.

But this is all theory and dry facts. To understand what is at stake and why such a standard is needed at all, it is necessary to understand all its features. This is what we'll do!

Designation

VoLTE fully stands for "Voice over Long Term Evolution", which translates as "voice through long-term development." It consists of two parts - "Vo" and "LTE".

Now more and more cities around the world are actively using 3G. We connect the Internet through this standard.

So, there is 4G or 4G LTE. Through this standard, the Internet is also connected. In more formal terms, this is a way to transfer data.

Everything is very simple.

And now let's talk about how did this technology come about and what is its purpose.

A bit of history

The first full-fledged issue of Volte is dated May 2014. Then the company SingTel, which is based in Singapore, introduced the service in question.

At the time, it only operated in Singapore and did not expand to other countries. Moreover, at first he worked on a single phone -.

SingTel is a very popular company all over the world. There are 37 offices of this company in Asia, Europe and the USA. It is the sponsor of the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix.

SingTel's main areas of activity are cellular communications, Internet technologies and the so-called Fixed Network.

In addition to the technology under consideration, . This is a little information for your reference.

Let's return to the development of VoLTE.

Already in June 2014, the mobile operator in South Korea began to provide CT using this standard.

After the merger with China Mobile, CT continued to provide the highest quality roaming in the world at that time. Over time, KPN and iBasis began to offer the same service.

November of the same year marks another major event in the history of Volte.

Then Verizon and AT&T announced that they would jointly introduce a connection using Voice over LTE between subscribers who are ready to subscribe to such a service.

And this event actually happened in 2015.

After that, more and more countries are implementing the use of the standard in question.

To date, very few countries have full support for voice over LTE networks - as of November 2017, there are only 9 of them.

At the same time, in such "advanced" countries in terms of technology, such as Germany, Canada and France, the introduction of the standard is still only planned.

It is absolutely incomprehensible why other countries and mobile operators are in no hurry to use Volte.

Perhaps this is somehow related to the cost of equipment or the banal lack of specialists who could do this.

Why you need VoLTE

There are at least three reasons why specialists from Singapore decided to create a new data transmission standard:

• Faster call making. The fact is that any device will be able to make a much faster call if 4G is connected to it. It does not take time to switch to 3G, and this is usually about 2-3 seconds. Previously, it was impossible to make calls with 4G and it took time for smartphones and tablets to switch to 3G when the user wanted to make a call. But with the advent of the ability to also transmit voice using 4G, all operations began to be performed much faster.
• Higher quality of communication. The point is that the sound quality with the advent of the technology in question has also become much higher. Users began to hear each other many times better. This is really important these days.
• Saving data transmission during a call. Surely, 4G users have repeatedly encountered a problem when they receive a call and the Internet is turned off. Now it won't.

In general, there was definitely a sense in new developments, and the emergence of new technology, by and large, was a matter of time.

It is worth saying that VoLTE has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. Let's talk about them.

Advantages

In addition to higher communication quality and, 4G has the following positive aspects:

1 Increasing network capacity. In simple terms, this implies that the number of subscribers for one station is increasing. For those who are "not in the know", let's say that all subscribers of cellular operators are served by base stations. So, when 3G is used, the number of subscribers at each base station is less than when using VoLTE, and by as much as 3 times. Usually, due to the overload of such stations, there were interruptions in communication and other problems of the same type.

2 Now you can call for free. This is a unique advantage that is achieved by using the type of networks in question. The fact is that 4G does not provide for a switching connection at all, which means that you do not need to pay for the corresponding communications. The voice is transmitted through the same system through which other types of data are transmitted, roughly speaking, via the Internet. Therefore, if a subscriber uses unlimited Internet, he will not pay a penny for calls.

Speaking of the latter, it is worth noting that calls will be free even to those subscribers who use 2G and 3G.

In any case, if the Internet is unlimited, you will not pay anything.

It seems impossible, but it's true!

At the same time, in earlier AMR-NB services. Even without understanding these terms, one can easily understand that in 4G everything is much better and the voice is “clearer”.

In this world, unfortunately, everything is imperfect, so Voice over LTE also has flaws, and for some they will be very significant. Let's move on to the negative.

disadvantages

Experts highlight three negative points, namely:

Accordingly, more energy is needed to operate the device, that is, a more capacious battery is required. Or you will need to charge more often or . However, today all such gadgets are "famous" for their terrible battery capacity. In the best case, after six months of using the device, it will have to be charged every day. But if the user also uses VoLTE, over time, a full battery charge will be enough for half a day or even less. You will have to change batteries quite often or achieve reduced power consumption in every possible way (disabling applications and services, cleaning, and so on).

2 The need for a general transition to the new standard by all mobile operators. To ensure normal operation, it is necessary that each operator decides to use 4G and this standard becomes the main one. The problem is that connecting 4G subscribers with 3G and 2G subscribers is a complex procedure that requires a large number of conditions to be met. For example, you need to have the appropriate equipment in the area. There is a third drawback associated with this.

3 In areas where there are no LTE stations, there will be no connection at all unless you switch to 3G manually. Actually, today there are very few such towers, therefore, unfortunately, people who decide to use new technologies will often have to switch from one standard to another.

In truth, until the moment when the necessary base stations will be everywhere, it is still very far away.

As we said above, very few operators in a small number of countries have decided to switch to the new standard.

Let's sum up what has been said.

Results

So, VoLTE is a new communication standard, a voice transmission technology using LTE networks.

In the networks that were used before, this was not possible.

Among other things, the use of such a standard makes it possible to achieve a higher quality of voice during transmission, as well as the complete abolition of payment for calls.

The reason for the latter is that commutation is not used here.

The technology also has disadvantages. For example, the load on the device () becomes greater. Accordingly, it will need to be charged more often.

In addition, for the normal application of the standard, it is necessary that all mobile operators begin to switch to it. At present, this is, unfortunately, unlikely.

And yet, Voice over LTE has excellent development prospects!