Voice over LTE, VoLTE Technology Definition
VoLTE, Voice over LTE is an IMS-based specification. Adopting this approach, it enables the system to be integrated with the suite of applications that will become available on LTE. When 3GPP started designing the LTE system, prime focus was to create a system which can achieve high data throughput with low latency and at the same time has the capability to guarantee an end to end Quality of Service(QoS). LTE is an all IP network and during the initial phases of its development, the ability to carry traditional service like the voice was not given much importance. Therefore, for LTE networks to carry traditional circuit-switched voice calls, a different solution was required. This solution to carry voice over IP in LTE networks is commonly known as “VoLTE”. Basically VoLTE systems covert voice into the data stream, which is then transmitted using the data connection.
In the VoLTE solution with voice services now sharing the data pipe with other data-enabled services like web browsing, video streaming, and social media, the ability to manage the speed, quality and volume of data along with associated signaling is critical for providing a positively differentiated user experience. This is achievable in the LTE network by way of exploiting capabilities of the IMS (IP Multimedia System) infrastructure, which provides a definite framework for ensuring end-to-end QoS for different applications including voice.
VoLTE Architecture Diagram
Differences between VoIP and VoLTE
TECHNOLOGY
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VOIP
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VOLTE
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Meaning
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Voice over IP
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Voice over LTE network
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Network
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2G/3G
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4G
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Created
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1990s
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2000s
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Audience
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Web, VoIP phones
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Modern smartphones
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Reliability
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Often drops packets of data under stress
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Higher bandwidth and quality
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Coverage
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Widespread
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4G still rolling out
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Therefore, the basic difference between VoLTE and VoIP is that while VoIP is best effort service, VoLTE has the capability to ensure end-to-end QoS.
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