DUBAI: Etisalat has announced its plans to enable HD voice calling feature on its network through the introduction of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) across the country.
While 4G enables users to access data using high-speed LTE network, VoLTE enables customers to make voice calls using LTE, reported Emirates 24/7.
The new service will however be available only to those owning Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge but would be rolled out to other Samsung models first before expanding the feature onto other smartphone manufacturers, the report said.
“It needs a special tweaking from our end. We currently have tied up with Samsung and have enabled the feature on Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. We are working on the other models,” an Etisalat official reportedly said.
It will provide high-quality HD voice over Etisalat’s 4G LTE network covering nearly 95 percent of the population, said the Dubai-based news portal.
One of the other main advantages is the less time it takes to set up a call. Telecom networks will be able to provide its users with far better call quality even on congested networks. Consumers will also benefit from better battery power as both voice and video calls made using VoLTE uses les battery power on a smartphone.
VoLTE reportedly runs completely on internet technology and is way cheaper to deploy compared to 4G. According to Etisalat the new VoLTE service is based on SRVCC (Single Radio Call Continuity) and will reduce call set up time significantly as compared to the current call set-up time.
Saleh Al Abdooli, Group Chief Executive Officer at Etisalat, said, “In today’s highly-connected world, customers increasingly want faster, more reliable and richer experience… We are excited to be the first in the UAE to launch VoLTE services that will offer our customers better quality of calls through improved network performance.”
Batelco in Bahrain and Ooredoo in Doha rolled out the service last year.
“Although Internet-based chat apps and messengers have gained popularity in recent years, voice calls continue to matter most when people want real-time, interactive and instantly gratifying connection with their families, friends or colleagues,” Al Abdooli was quoted as saying by Emirates 24/7.
Etisalat had earlier announced that 95 percent of its network across the UAE is now covered with 4G LTE and upgraded its 4G network to 4G+ technology in certain locations across the country.
