Initial attachement for VoLTE user

Hello everyone!
Have some question about subject.

1) When VoLTE UE powered on then firstly we see that default bearer for apn = "internet" is
activated and then activation for another default bearer for apn ="ims" started. We suppose that
firstly should go default bearer sctivation for apn = ims and only after that other apns. Or this point
is not specified?

2) default bearer activation for ims anyway failed. UE reject with Activate Default EPS Bearer
reject with unspecified cause (31). How can we troubleshoot this issue? Should UE vendor add our
MCC MNC to support VoLTE?

Thanks

 3mo

Rohit Matolia 1.) Most of the operators around the world have this configuration of First
LTE Attach bearer as Internet bearer & then another PDN of type IMS. This way WAP/Net
activities are mapped on first bearer (used during attach) and IMS services through
additional PDN.
-> Though few operators support first bearer as IMS & second bearer for WAP/Net services
too. For this you can set the ESM Info Transfer Flag as 0 and set no APN in APN settings
and/or set "IMS" as "Default, IMS" APN Type & WAP bearer as "internet"

2.) Please check the IMS VoPS in the Attach Accept, if it is 1 then operator supports IMS
and you need to check whether SIM is provisioned to use IMS services
-> Alternately you can try the initial attach as IMS, operator might be supporting that.
-> As UE is sending the PDN connectivity request for IMS then UE might be supporting this
MCC MNC, please check the request for APN, whether the apn in PDN Conn Req matches
the operator requirement

  3mo


Elmir Karimullin thanks for reply,

actually, we have VoPS supported in Attach Accept from MME to UE.

"you can set the ESM info Transfer Flag as 0" - if this about Attach request from UE - how can we
set this flag? Just remove apn setting in UE at all?


 3mo


Rohit Matolia Yes, some UE need to remove APN from APN settings, other have option of setting
blank APN with APN type as "ia"

 3mo


Prasad D Hi all, I have similar related question here, My commercial handsets are not latching on to
Femtocell which supports VoLTE but I have other IOT device which supports only VOLTE but not
internet is able to attach successfully and voice call is success. Unfortunately, for handsets I dont
have QXDM,DM etc logs for any verfication & same with Femtocell also. Any pointers on this
scenario??

 3mo


Rohit Matolia Hi Prasad, you can try the same as above. Try the initial attach in LTE as VOLTE
(IMS APN) or blank APN with EPS Info Transfer flag as 0.
For QComm device, you can delete the APNs, or try APN type "IA", or IMS APN as type
"default,ims" in the APN settings. This should work. :)

 3mo


Elmir Karimullin are there any ideas how can we troubleshoot bearer activation failure for IMS sig
on UE side? with 1 question everything is clear now, thanks

 3mo


Rohit Matolia Regarding IMS PDN Reject cause, it can be related to many factors like:>
1.) UE IMS APN Settings as ipv4 but NW supporting ipv6 only
2.) Unspecified Reject causes mostly are related to SIM subscription for VoLTE
3.) Check that PDN Connectivity request is sent with correct APN
4.) Check support of IMS in the particular area
5.) As i mentioned, First bearer IMS, second for WAP, some NW reject if second bearer is for IMS


 3mo


Vijendra Singh I had this query: Will first establishing the default bearer as internet bearer and the
second as ims bearer affects the call setup of VoLTE / voice call.?

 3mo


Rohit Matolia Hi Vijendra,

This would only delay IMS registration a bit but should not impact the Call Setup for VoLTE.

 3mo


Amarjit Prasad Establishing IMS bearer first will only ensure that your UE is call ready as soon as
UE gets Attach complete. Then new PDN request will be sent by device for activating default
internet bearer.

This way the user experience remains like we have in legacy networks. UE after power up is able to
make calls and data PDP activation may take some time.

For call, QCI 1/2 dedicated bearers will be create over default IMS QCI 5 bearer so establishing
IMS signalling bearer is required first.

Establishing any bearer first depends on operator. There are no specific standards. I have seen
operators with different implementations and found them not affecting any services at large.

  3mo
 Abbas Khan Hi All!
As per above discussion and mentioned settings for apn type, I have given " default, ims " & apn
"internet" but still VoLTE is not working! if I give other than this , then even Internet also doesn't
work! Can anyone help me to activate VoLTE on my handset? my Sim & handset both Are VoLTE
supported! Samsung A5 (2016)!

 3mo


Elmir Karimullin Rohit Matolia,

"2.) Unspecified Reject causes mostly are related to SIM subscription for VoLTE " SIM
subscription your mean subscription for apn=ims in HSS profile?
Also we suppose that UE vendor could just block several default bearers for MCC MNC code...
Also we find out that request for default bearer activation for IMS goes even no any APN set in UE
manually

  3mo


Rohit Matolia @Abbas: Please check whether the operator you are using has enabled VoLTE on
you SIM card by using in another phone for once (Also check whether your phone supports VoLTE
for that specific operator)

@Elmir: In that case, the phone that you are using has hidden APN for IMS, some phone vendors
prefer that.
Did you check the same SIM on other phone whether that can get IMS registration and PDN on that
phone?

  3mo


Mayank Srinet You may check the port number value and make sure the banner value is correlated
to its operator or default global value. Also, please help check if SIM is subscribed for VoLTE.

 3mo


Amarjit Prasad @Abbas, Few things you can check:

1. SW on device is updated to one supporting VoLTE.

2. Enhance LTE voice services turned ON in call/settings.
3. IMS APN is hidden for most of the UE/operators, so keep internet APN as default.
4. If you can take some modem logs, then we can debug the issue.
5. Operator SIM has VoLTE subscription and is not a data only SIM card.
6. Same SIM if VoLTE working in another supported phone.
7. You may try another SIM of Same operator to check if it's SIM issue.
8. Also try another operator SIM in your phone which supports VoLTE.

Which operator are you trying for VoLTE service?


  3mo


Abbas Khan @Rohit & @Amarjit thanks guys for suggestions...the Issue is that I have tested the
handset with an operator in gulf & it was working with VoLTE & CA services.
but Currently, I am trying it with Reliance JIO VoLTE SIM. The SIM is working with LYF(JIO)
handset but not working with my handset on VoLTE. Also as it is my personal handset & SIM, so I
can't collect any logs. All the settings are matched with another handset and are perfect as well the
software is up to date. The issue is that the VoLTE services are working with same model handset
which is purchased in India and my handset was purchased from outside India and is Factory
unlocked. Please suggest. Thanks.

  2mo


Rohit Matolia @Abbas: There lies the problem = Device purchased in Gulf. Due to IMS Roaming
constraints & limited audience, Vendors do not provide the IMS settings for all the operators but
only for specific operators of the country the phone was bought in.
So most probably you won't be able to use IMS on your phone in India, neither would you be able to
use IMS in gulf using the phone bought in India.
Solution: Some vendors are soon to come with a solution, Apple already has the solution. So you
can try with Apple phones, those will work, most probably.

  2mo


Prasad D @Rohit. IMS settings are very much transparent to end user. Nowadays all phones &
SIMS have necessary settings for VoLTE call. Hence if the mobile is unlocked then it should work
in all the countries unless it is specifically mentioned only frequnecy bands for FDD or TDD
supported by that handset. All google nexus, Iphone, Zenphone etc could be usuable in all the
countries. Reliance JIO is exceptional which they are having some proprietary setting just because
of Indian market ( less awareness of telecom technologies etc).

 2mo


Rohit Matolia @Prasad: RJio is a different story in itself ;) The unlocked phones in other countries
will have the IMS settings only if they were updated after the commercial launch of RJio & also if
patches were included in the respective phones.
For other phones, high end phones do have settings for VoLTE of maximum operators after getting
latest updates, low & mid tier always get the updates a little late
 

 2mo


Prasad D Hi Rohit, All the APN settings are correct as Simcard is commercial Verizon network one
and we have verified APN settings via AT commands. Everything seems okay as I wont have access
to NAS stack & all where I can manipulate each parameters.This should not be the case because
using same SIM card works in live LTE & Femtocell network in US.

  2mo


Rohit Matolia Hmm, if you have access to AT commands, please check the CGDCONT for CID 0
& 1 and also CGACT for CID 0 & 1-> CID 1 should be for IMS, and thus you can know whether
the bearer is activated or not. If the Bearer is activated, then the issue maybe related to IMS/SIP
messages -> These can be checked from Wireshark logs (TCPDump) inside the phone. There check
the REGISTER Messages to find the cause.

  2mo


Prasad D Hmm..I got it anyways thanks !!!!

 2mo


Devendra Singh lodha 1st Point Default APN is also configured at EPC side if you are trying with
some other APN as default set on your phone it will be rejected .
2nd set IMS APN as default at EPC side then try .

  2mo


Satwik Sansare hi,download jio broadcast app..ur volte will work

 2mo

Soumalya Kumar De If VoLTE is enabled then the phone dialer should be integrated with VoLTE
service (either directly or indirectly communicate with IMS stack), hence the IMS service should be
always-on . However, the browsing sessions over internet/default pdn are not always-on service, the
user can control the browsing sessions by activating/de-activating mobile data settings. It seems that
if VoLTE is enabled then IMS pdn should be attached first and then based on user settings (on
mobile data usage) internet/default pdn is connected. Though need more information on it.

  2mo


Elmir Karimullin thanks for all, we change UE and problem solved.

  2mo


Vijay Shrivastava @Satwik Sansare - RJIO is not pure volte as they are providing the app inside the
SIM which is doing the call like any other application as skype or messenger, pure volte will be if it
will do the call without application directly from dialer like in GSM.

  2mo


Prasad D @Vijay Shrivastava.. There is nothing like pure VoLTE etc. Its just not the matter of who
initiates SIP call either android application or normal dialup application for voice call. Its matter of
Voice packets(RTP packets) transmitted via LTE network in packet switched rather than circuit
switched as legacy networks. We have tested VoLTE feature in older versions of phones like galaxy
S4 etc by downloading app like Zoiper etc. so Skype sends data via default bearer but in VoLTE
data goes via QCI=1 dedicated bearer rather than QCI=5 normal default bearer.

  2mo


Devendra Singh lodha You are right @Prasad D

 2mo

Rohit Matolia Vijay Shrivastava: RJIO also provides VOLTE, or as you call it pure VoLTE with
QCI1 dedicated bearer. The application & VoIP call through its native app is just alternate way to
ensure seamless voice communication on it's 4G only NW.

 2mo


Sanjeev Anand @vijay Srivastava: RJIO is complete Volte. QCI-1 for Volte call & QCI-2 for VT
call. QCI-5 IMS signaling.

 2mo


Franz Edler @Soumalya: The priority of APNs for attachment is usually the other way round. First
APN (network initiated) is the Internet APN and then comes (UE initiated) the IMS APN. The
reasons for this are:
- Smartphones used the Internet long before VoLTE
- If the network initiated APN attachment fails there is no chance for another APN to be activated by
the UE. Internet connectivity would then depend on Voice over PS support.
This is also reflected in GSMA IR.92 §4.3.1: Unless preconfigured by the home operator to provide
the IMS well-known APN during initial attach, the UE must not provide the IMS well-known APN
during the E-UTRAN initial attach procedure.

  2mo


Soumalya Kumar De @Franz , Thanks for pointing to the spec and clarification.

 2mo


Anikethan Ramakrishna V Just to add, there is no hard and fast rule as to which is the APN to be
used in the initial attach. It is generally based on the requirements of the network operator. For
example Operator A might ask that the UE always attach to "ims" and operator B might ask that the
UE do an attach to "internet." So depending on which operator is selling the phone, the
configurations kick in. And of course there is the option that the UE does not ask for any specific
APN at all and the network itself assigns one. This behaviour is controlled by the "ESM Information
Transfer flag" that is sent in the Initial Attach Request. If the flag is not set to 0, the network assigns
the APN on its own. If the flag is set to 1, it means that the UE wants to share APN name (or PCO
parameters) after secure signaling is established. So once secure signaling is established, network
sends "ESM Information Request" and the UE sends "ESM Information Response" with the APN
name. The network would use this.

  1mo


Franz Edler @Anikethan: in principle you are right, both options (Internet APN or IMS APN as first
connection during attachment) are possible. But as smartphones require Internet connection from the
beginning and VoLTE is an add-on connection, it makes sense to start with the Internet APN as the
first connection (network initiated) and let the UE continue with the second connection to IMS APN
(UE initiated).

  1mo


Sajid Ali Khan First Default bearer (non-GBR) will be established at the time of network attachment
provided ”always-on” capability.
Next Dedicated bearer (GBR or non-GBR)(APN="Internet" or APN="IMS" etc.)will be established
according to requirement of services.

 1mo


Anikethan Ramakrishna V Franz Edler: Actually it is the other way round. Phones are generally
configured to be voice centric (PS Mode 1/CSPS Mode 1). So the first priority would be voice
services. Many of the operators who have devices that support voice calls IMS, generally prefer
using IMS as the attach APN. But the catch here is 'generally.' It may also be otherwise, as you
mentioned.

 1mo


Franz Edler @Anikethan: No, the "UE mode of operation" is an aspect of domain selection for UE
originating sessions(see 3GPP TS 23.221 §7.2a).
"Voice centric" means: a UE set to "Voice centric" shall always try to ensure that Voice service is
possible. It has to reselect 2G or 3G if voice service is not possible.
"Data centric" means: the UE does not disable the E-UTRAN capability if voice services cannot be
obtained.
The UE mode of operation does not mean an attach priority for the APNs. If you interpret it in that
way, then the UE will never get Internet service via LTE even if CSFB is possible, because the
initial attachment fails if voice of PS is not supported.

  1mo


HONGJOO CHOI Hope this reference would be a help: http://bit.ly/2gMpFse

  1w


Raghunath Giri Hi Franz Edler & Anikethan Ramakrishna V,

You both are true, but ultimately the APN assignment is left to Network operator.
3GPP is quiet open in this, No matter which is first either IMS or Internet both function can be
performed simultaneously since their barrier and QOS are different

 6d


Hiren Dharani Elmir Karimullin , UE will first attach to default APN (internet), Once default Bearer
(QCI 8 or 9 based on operator) for internet is setup then only UE will set up IMS Bearer , Also note
for IMS , it will have default bearer and dedicated bearer , Default bearer will be setup for
Signalling (QCI = 5) and Dedicated bearer for Voice (QCI = 1) , Please see the QOS / QCI table at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QoS_Class_Identifier :
Order :
Step 1 : Default Bearer for internet APN (QCI 8 or 9 )
Step 2 : Default Bearer for ims APN ( QCI 5) Signalling
Step 3: Dedicated beaerer for ims Voice (QC1 1) only when voice calls are made

Please note the default bearer for internet and ims will be setup when you turn on UE followed by
IMS registration (SIP) and later on Dedicated bearer for voice when will be setup only when you
make voice calls dedicated bearer will be terminated when voice call ends.

In your case please check with operator if HSS has the IMS apn profile for that MSISDN

  6d

Brian Parsons Elmir Karimullin Hiren Dharani is spot on and important dedicated bearer HSS (S6a)
configured for your IMS APN most failure from simple misconfig. Call flow: INITIAL ATTACH
...bla,bla,... eNB -> MME [Non Access Stratum (NAS) MM, ATTACH_COMPLETE(0x43)
Step 1/2: EPS Session Management: ACTIVATE_DFLT_BEARER_ACCEPT(0xc2)], SGs-AP (11
bytes) TMSI_REALLOCATION_COMPLETE(0xc) ,
Step 3: MME-S11 <->SGW GTPv2 EGTP_MODIFY_BEARER_REQUEST/RESP (0x22)
Step 4: Diameter UE ->I/P-CSCF REQ PXY/PXY (IMS),profile on
MSISDN/IMSI(HSS)[....VoLTE...]