Voice over LTE
The full commercialization of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is now close at hand. VoLTE is a high-quality call service based on LTE. The service will be fully commercialized in about three years since the three Korean telecommunication carriers launched the VoLTE service (also known as HD Voice). The launch and full commercialization of the service will make Korea the first nation to do that in the world.
According to the telecommunication industry on Nov. 9, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and three mobile service carriers began the final countdown of their service launch while holding a joint demonstration on Nov. 10 before the full commercialization of VoLTE. Full commercialization may start as early as this week.
VoLTE is a voice call service based on LTE networks. The advanced service features quicker connections and clearer voices. Moreover, VoLTE users can share videos and maps even during voice calls. Even after the completion of preparations, differences in opinions about inter-carrier connection service fees and payment systems have delayed a connection among the three carriers. But in May, the launch of a data-oriented fee system that offers limitless voice calls has begun to expedite connection service among the three.
The wireless telecommunication industry expects that the full commercialization of VoLTE will give birth to a wide array of voice calls and data fusion and convergence services. SK Telecom announced that they will launch the tentatively-named Smart Call Transfer Service, which enables users to make or receive a call via laptops and tablet PCs by way of VoLTE within this year. KT is planning to apply VoLTE to its Giga LTE, Olleh Pop-up Call and Who Who, which blocks spam calls and texts. LG U+ will reinforce its VoLTE service named “Yoowa.”
But the companies are faced with a tough task – a low use rate of VoLTE. They began a tentative VoLTE service based on connections among them in June, and gradually launched its commercial service from Aug. 4. At the moment, it is estimated that more than 40 million people are using LTE in Korea and out of them, about 32 million people own smartphones that can work with VoLTE.