Tata Communications is ready for Voice over LTE

Tata Communications is now network-ready when it comes to supplying Voice over LTE calling (VoLTE) to its global community of IPX-connected service providers. VoLTE will allow mobile network operators to offer high quality voice-based services over their LTE or 4G networks, and is seen as a key factor for succeeding in the 4G market. 

VoLTE is viewed as a critical next step in continuing to deliver a high quality voice experience. It offers customers high definition (HD) Voice*, while enabling mobile network operators to operate on the basis of an all-IP infrastructure. 

Operators can thus enjoy operational efficiencies and the required foundation for deploying new services, as well as integration for further applications aimed at improving user experience. Customers will benefit from near-instant call setup, better sound quality and the ability to have HD Voice conversations with more users outside the mobile-only community. 

 

The business proposition to mobile network operators is that improved voice quality leads to increased usage, and ultimately, better revenues. Mobile voice quality issues have been an ongoing concern for network operators, so investing in VoLTE could potentially reduce customer churn and improve the customer experience. Analysts estimate that VoLTE services combined with OTT* VoIP are set to become a US$16 billion business by 2017.  

New capabilities to enable enhanced network readiness include expanding HD calls beyond VoLTE-to-VoLTE handsets, but to any HD-enabled user, including fixed line users. Tata Communications has also deployed new capabilities to detect whether a call is HD in order to route it in such a way that the core benefits and features of HD are projected outside of the mobile operator’s network.

Christian Michaud, Senior VP for Strategy and Development Global Voice Services, Tata Communications, said, “Our VoLTE offering enables mobile operators to generate additional revenue through increased usage, especially in high-margin roaming scenarios and international calling. Adding VoLTE to the portfolio also provides mobile operators with a potential competitive advantage over OTT providers, who may not be able to match the quality of experience. This is especially true as video calling over LTE will be the natural evolution of VoLTE.” 

*HD Voice is a new standard of audio technology that delivers better voice quality compared to traditional digital telephony. While the human voice can range from as low as 80 Hz to as high as 14 kHz in terms of sound frequencies, traditional telephone calls work within a 300 Hz to 3.4 kHz range. HD Voice can support frequencies of 50 Hz to more than 7 kHz. 

*OTT or over-the-top refers to content or services that are delivered from a third party provider via the Internet directly to a customer, so that that telecommunications provider is only responsible for delivering the data. If the telecommunications provider is able to charge for the content or service, it is not considered OTT.