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Japanese Monthly Telecommunication Magazine, November issue 2012
Mr. Jukka Hongisto, Nokia Siemens Networks Solution Architect
Supporting operators as they introduce Voice over LTE
The first commercial Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services were launched in South Korea
and the US in August 2012. We interviewed Mr. Jukka Hongisto, who heads up VoLTE
at Nokia Siemens Networks, about the new technologys capabilities and potential
Q. SK Telecom and LGU+ of South Korea and metroPSC Wireless Inc. of the US started to
offer VoLTE-based communications in August. What kind of services can VoLTE provide?
Mr. Jukka Hongisto (J.H): VoLTE is a Voice over IP (VoIP) system based on the IP
Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) used in LTE networks. LTE is a fully packet-switched
technology with no provision for circuit switching. Therefore, a specific LTE voice solution is
needed for smartphones. VoLTE provides that solution.
One of the biggest advantages of VoLTE is that existing voice call functions are supported.
For example, VoLTE supports emergency call origination and ring back, both of which are
features not available with IP phones using OTT (Over The Top) services.
Current trends in VoLTE and RCS implementation
Q. With VoLTE, will mobile phone bills be lower than existing charges?
J.H: Mobile operators do not distinguish between VoLTE services and existing voice call
services and will want to maintain their current voice charging levels.
Yankee Group Research Inc. predicts that the majority of revenue for mobile operators will
come from voice call services. This makes it important to maintain the revenue from voice
call services. VoLTE can help to make this happen by enabling richer voice services.
In South Korea, for example, high-definition voice services using the AMR-WB codec have
been a major focus. VoLTE can provide not only voice calls, but videophone services too. In
addition, by using Rich Communication Suite (RCS), a technology common to VoLTE,
operators can offer file sharing, multimedia communication and more. Already we are seeing
these services beginning to be introduced. Furthermore, the time to connect a call over
VoLTE is very quick, which will definitely attract users.
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VoLTE also makes more efficient use of frequency than current call services and may help
to reduce operational costs for the operator. In the medium to long term, this may lead to
more competitive pricing.
Q. Call services using Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) technology are being provided to
LTE smartphones in Japan. How do these compare with VoLTE?
J.H: LTE has already been commercialized by 89 telecommunication operators in 45
countries. However, the services provided are limited in most cases and operators are not
yet able to offer VoLTE.
As a transitional solution, voice communication is still run over the circuit-switched systems
of 2G/3G. CSFB is one of these services. In CSFB, the smartphone or other device is
connected to the LTE network when the device is in idle mode. But when a voice call arrives,
a paging signal is sent to the device via the networks Mobile Management Entity (MME) and
the call is handed over to the 2G/3G network from the LTE network.
Many operators that have implemented W-CDMA/HSPA are expected to use CSFB.
In addition to CSFB, there is also SVLTE (Simultaneous CDMA Voice and LTE data) that has
been implemented since 2010 by CDMA2000 carriers like Verizon Wireless. Just like CSFB,
SVLTE runs voice communications over 3G (CDMA2000). However, SVLTE is different from
CSFB because a device within LTE coverage is always connected to both the LTE and
CDMA2000 networks.
Spread of LTE services in South Korea is 99%
Q. Why has VoLTE been chosen and implemented in South Korea and US? Why not
SVLTE?
J.H: SK Telecom and LGU+ use the 800 MHz frequency band, which offers superior
propagation characteristics, enabling the operators to build LTE networks that offer almost
99% service coverage. Therefore, even with VoLTE alone, the operators are able to offer
practical services. As I mentioned earlier, a motive for choosing VoLTE is that the technology
supports richer services.
In 2013, a technology called Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) will be available
for commercial use and will make it possible to implement VoLTE by complementing service
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coverage with CS voice. SRVCC uses VoLTE for call communication over LTE, but when a
smartphone moves outside the LTE coverage area, it can be handed over to 2G/3G
bandwidth without interrupting the call. With this capability, operators can offer useful
services even with limited LTE coverage.
Q. Along with the three carriers in South Korea and US, which company do you think will be
the next to implement VoLTE?
J.H: Verizon Wireless, NTT Docomo and T-Mobile Germany are very actively investing in
VoLTE. However, it is not known when they will actually commercialize VoLTE.
Q. So, to sum up, you are saying that CSFB and SVLTE can provide the right capability for
voice calls using smartphones, is that right?
J.H: The choice of services to be deployed depends on the circumstances of the network.
The NTT docomo 3G network, for example, covers most areas in Japan, making CSFB a
very effective solution. On the other hand, when 2G GSM is the leading network and there is
limited 3G coverage, CSFB is not feasible because data communication cannot practically
be switched to GSM. Carriers in this situation may move positively to implement VoLTE.
However, NTT docomo is a very advanced carrier. Therefore, they probably will implement
VoLTE using SRVCC before LTE network coverage is widespread. In a tight Japanese
market, they may eventually have to.
Q. What does Nokia Siemens Networks offer on VoLTE?
J.H: We are preparing a solution that will enable telecommunication carriers to roll out
VoLTE step by step. As a concrete example, the implementation of CSFB would be the first
step. Then, when the coverage of LTE networks is developed, VoLTE services can be
introduced using SRVCC. Finally, when the coverage of LTE networks is about the same as
the coverage of 2G/3G networks, CSFB and VoLTE are integrated so that CSFB is used for
example for inbound roamers when needed.
Nokia Siemens Networks has already started to help operators introduce commercial CSFB.
We are also trialing SRVCC with Renesas Electronics Corporation. We offer everything
needed to build an advanced network such as LTE radio, Packet core, IMS, application
server, etc. With our resources, we can help operators make a smooth transition to VoLTE.
CLIPPING NEWS
Noki
Headline:
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Date:
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Telecommunication November issue
October 25, 2012 p. 66-67
38,000
Focus Key Person
Jukka Hongisto, Nokia Siemens Networks Solution Architect
Supporting carriers move to VoLTE
Article:
