Voice over LTE of 4G also known as VoLTE is a service that enables customers to make calls over the 4G network. It may come as a surprise to many that even if they see the 4G or LTE symbol on their smartphones they are not making VoLTE phone calls. What most networks do is to switch an incoming call from 4G to the legacy circuit-switched 2G or 3G network (a process known as circuit-switched fall back) for a call to occur. But for the few telecoms who have invested in the infrastructure upgrade carriers will provide this service with a breeze.
What both network types now have in common thanks to VoLTE is the ability to use more bandwidth to make phone calls with higher quality audio traveling both ways. When you are on a call with someone else who is using VoLTE, you immediately notice the difference in call quality on both ends. You’ll also notice calls connect faster if you are calling someone near you, and while that’s not a feature worth bragging about, it’s a cool thing to test for yourself.
A Voice of LTE call is like making a WhatsApp or Zoom audio call as it utilizes the packet-switched or data network to make calls. This means one can save on airtime and make calls via data. On top of this, there are few phones that support VoLTE.
The increased demand for data albeit dwindling Voice and SMS revenues paints a positive picture in VoLTE calls. Unlike other traditional telecoms that have been relegated to just a mere pipe, providing infrastructure on which over the top (OTT) services like Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram ride, some telecoms are now providing users the core of these OTT services charging per MB consumed as long as you’re a registered customer. Therefore you can make random VoLTE calls across the world at local data rates with no extra costs involved.
Some carriers don’t see it as a good venture to invest to into VoLTE as it would require them to invest into a whole new core network.
Carriers in Uganda that support VoLTE
When it comes to the telecoms that support VoLTE in Uganda– the big giants like MTN, Africell, and Airtel are a no show. Smile telecom was the first and only company to launch the service in Uganda so far. Ever reinforcing its pace-setting streak with innovative products and enhanced service offerings, Smile Uganda, introduced the KaDigitoo VoLTE phone.
The Smile KaDigitoo VoLTE phone was the first entry-level phone to be introduced in Uganda with a dual-SIM option, VoLTE-enabled smartphone, offering good quality 4G LTE network at a more affordable price. This phone comes pre-loaded with applications including the SmileVoice App, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Skype, Instagram, YouTube, music, and FM radio. At launch, it cost about UGX 320,000.
There is no doubt that some companies will support this later in the near future. Sources reveal to Techjaja that Lycamobile Uganda will offer VoLTE call support in their Phase 2 expansion before the end of the year or at the start of 2021.
What else you need to know about HD Voice
Some carriers refer to VoLTE as HD Voice for marketing reasons, as it points to its increased fidelity compared to a traditional cell call. At this point, most people making a call on a modern smartphone will be using HD Voice whether they know it or not.
Pretty much every new phone will support VoLTE, but not every phone will let you turn it on or off. On an iPhone, the setting is in the LTE options under Cellular. Simply select LTE, VoLTE On to get connected (only if your carrier supports it). You might notice that when you change this selection, the network indicator on the phone resets.
A few things need to go right for VoLTE to take effect including having a good enough LTE connection on a tower that supports VoLTE. You’ll also need a device that supports VoLTE. This is something that will need to be confirmed on each device on each carrier but most phones released in the last couple of years should be onboard.
The eventual goal for carriers in Uganda will be to move everyone over to calling on VoIP which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. Once this happens, features like VoLTE will fall into the same category and will allow calling when connected to any secure internet source. This includes standalone future 5G networks and as more efficient 5G networks will be introduced in Uganda, carriers are going to want customers to stay on that tower as much as possible.
