VoLTE?

[Prime2515103]

What exactly is this? In some places I'm reading that it's for apps like Skype, and in others, that it is baked in for ordinary, every day phone calls (so they are clearer). Is it like the WiFi calling feature, but over LTE instead?

I recently received an update on my Galaxy Note 3 that enables this. I asked T-Mobile if it was something that can be enabled/disabled, and if it will count toward data usage, and this was their response:

"[FONT=&quot]Upon checking the status of this device, this feature is a pre-installed software that can not be enabled/disabled but as long as you have the newest version of software everything is good to go. And since this is a back up if ever the phone is getting a hard time looking for the our tower network signal, it also counts the data usage and may deduct to your data bucket. And you can make or receive calls on LTE as well, and your service stays on LTE for both data and voice, as long as the software is updated."

I'm not 100% sure that this particular support agent understood my question.

I have a feeling VoLTE isn't even available in my area (we seem to be last with updates in the mid-Michigan area) but I thought I would see if I can get some insight on it.

Thanks
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[Demo24]

I know T-Mobile has been rolling it out in places, but no idea where. They may have a map somewhere on their website.

You were however correct, volte is: voice over LTE. The goal being to use the much higher bandwidth capabilities of the LTE protocol to offer higher quality voice calls. Some might be labeling this as 'HD voice' or something. I've yet to see this in action, but its designed to be transparent to the end user, no special apps to use. Eventually all the networks itend on using this for all of their phones, so its about to start getting widespread deployment from the larger carriers. Its not been until recently the majority of phones have started to support it.

I'm not sure if they have other plans for volte yet or not. I'm curious about it, but also wondering what will happen in the future when its more widespread, since LTE doesn't penetrate dense buildings as well.

 

[Dulanic]

I'm not sure if they have other plans for volte yet or not. I'm curious about it, but also wondering what will happen in the future when its more widespread, since LTE doesn't penetrate dense buildings as well.

That's a vague statement. There are high freq and low freq LTE. Higher frequencies tend not to penetrate as well. T-Mo specifically has 700, 1700 and 1900. 700 is a new range for them, but they are starting to roll it out in mass. Downside is, not many, if any, current T-Mo phones support it.

 

[paperwastage]

there are two separate technologies:

HD Voice = (AMR-WB) codec that encodes the physical voice vibrations into data, transmits it to the other party. It makes things a lot clearer and sounds like you are standing next to the other party


VoLTE = Voice over the LTE network. I believe uses the same AMR-WB codec above. it's a more efficient use of spectrum (compared to 3G voice calling). T-mobile says it's available "nationwide", but this just means they have VoLTE coverage for a certain number of people and there may be cell sites that haven't gotten the VoLTE update yet

Only a few phones on t-mobile have VoLTE enabled though. If you don't have VoLTE, your phone will drop down from LTE to 3G when making phone calls.

On T-mobile, you can get HD Voice over 3G (both parties must be on T-mobile, have HD Voice-capable phones), or HD Voice over VoLTE (I don't know if the other party needs to be on T-Mobile/have VoLTE as well, to make use of the better AMR-WB codec).



With VoLTE, you maintain LTE connection (you can talk and surf on LTE). To check, make a phone call. If LTE connection is maintained, you have VoLTE

VoLTE is supposed to be prioritized (against other connections) and not supposed to count against your data bucket. If LTE signal drops, the phone is supposed to automatically/seamlesly transition back to 3G voice calling (that's why it's not a simple app like Skype, which can't do this)

I'd recommend taking the VoLTE update. If you don't like it, you can always manually drop your connection to 3G, then make the phone call

 

[luv2liv]

VoLTE is voice over LTE. it is exactly like VoIP which is voice over IP (which is what Skype uses)
traditionally, your voice is transmitted over CDMA (Sprint or Verizon) or GSM (tmobile or ATT). but everything is moving forward towards IP based. because it is more efficient to transmit that way. so LTE is all IP based. capable of transmitting vids, the web, and voice.

carriers are already doing VoLTE in some markets. and no, you wouldnt know it. if your voice is being done over LTE, it will not count against your data usage.
off course not all phones are smartphones nor all of them are LTE. hence we have CSFB, circuit switch fallback. CSFB is the interim until all phones and all markets support LTE. all cool stuff that nobody really cares. but since you asked....

 

[Prime2515103]

Alright, thanks for the explanations, that clears it up quite nicely (was that pun? oops...).

 

[zerogear]

You can easily tell if VoLTE is enabled or not, when you place a call, does your signal rollback to H+? If it does, VoLTE isn't enabled.