VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is a powerful alternative to the current 2G/3G voice service, delivering superior voice clarity, faster data speeds, and extended battery life for IoT devices. With the full launch of VoLTE now complete, this means Tele2 IoT can globally support VoLTE on any SIM provided by us.
With the transition from 2G/3G to 4G/5G networks ongoing, the need to shift your IoT devices to VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is increasingly urgent. Most operators are already in the process of shutting down 3G, with 2G closure not far behind. For Tele2, in Sweden 2G/3G will be fully sunsetted by December 2025, which means it is crucial that you ensure your devices are ready in good time, particularly if you work with mission critical applications that rely on voice, such as telecare.
So, what is VoLTE?
VoLTE is an IP-based voice service that gives you the possibility to make voice calls in higher quality with faster set-up times over IP-based networks. We have an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) platform dedicated to IoT that will cater for all the voice services that we need as we move away from 2G/3G and to 4G/5G. VoLTE enables operators to migrate their circuit switched infrastructure (e.g. 2G/3G) to a fully IP-centric network.
Why is VoLTE important?
Previously, 2G/3G networks used another technology, called circuit switch, which will not be available following sunsetting. So, customers need to move to VoLTE by the end of 2025, when 2G will be shut down (3G is already ongoing). So, to have the voice service up and running, customers need to move to this new technology as quickly as possible.
What are the main benefits of VoLTE?
VoLTE offers higher voice quality and faster data speeds. The quality of VoLTE is a big improvement over 2G/3G voice, and for mission critical applications, there is one very important difference: the network can differentiate VoLTE traffic from normal data and prioritize it in the event of network congestion. This will be crucial in the event of an issue or high usage.
What are the challenges?
VoLTE quite straightforward. We are talking about calls, of course, so the devices must support this, so that that might be a struggle to address before December 2025 if you haven’t already started. It is crucial that companies address the switch from 2G/3G (and thus to VoLTE) sooner, rather than later, because VoLTE must be enabled on all devices deployed. This may mean switching out devices that are only enabled for 2G or 3G.