Smart makes first Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call in PH

Smart Communications has successfully performed the first the Voice over Long-Term Evolution or VoLTE in the Philippines in partnership with Ericsson.

VoLTE has been around in other countries allowing users to make calls using the 4G network opposed to the usual 2G or 3G calls. With VoLTE, voice calls are clearer than before, much like the quality when using data for internet messaging apps. Also, this allows an enabled mobile phone to connect faster to the other party.

Although, not all LTE-capable phones will support VoLTE and it requires strong LTE coverage. Smart said they have approved the service since they have already completed key improvement projects in the last months.

“It will take a little time for VoLTE to be fully deployed because capable handsets are either still too expensive, or manufacturers have yet to activate this feature in their existing advanced models,” said by PLDT and Smart chief technology and information advisor Joachim Horn.

Smart is currently rolling out LTE with a goal of covering 95% of the country’s cities and municipalities by end-2018.

Via: Manila Bulletin