You might have seen the term “voice over LTE”, usually written in its abbreviation VoLTE all over the internet. For a better understanding, think of it as how VoIP phone calls are made over the internet, but on VoLTE, it is calls that are made over a 4G/LTE data connection.
Essentially, mobile voice calls can be made over a data network. It’s like an HD voice call as the quality is far superior and noticeable when compared to a 2G or 3G call. The good news is that VoLTE also allows you to simultaneously be on a phone call and browse the internet or download multimedia content. So if you’re using earphones or a headset, you are free to browse, chat and download at the same time.
VoLTE calls can also connect twice as fast as 2G or 3G signal, and with LTE being so readily available on the Vodacom network, it means better connectivity. It operates on the 800MHz spectrum that offers better coverage, so you will likely get signal in basements and parking lots.
But in order to make a VoLTE phone call, there are some conditions that need to be met. The first one is that phones need to support it; the good news is that most smartphones today already do. It includes iPhone 8 upwards, Galaxy S8 upwards, Galaxy A Series from A10 onwards, and including the likes of Huawei, Oppo and Vivo. Otherwise, just make sure it is turned on in your device settings.
The second one is that the network, such as Vodacom, needs to support the service. Vodacom launched its VoLTE service back in 2015, and was the first network in South Africa to do so. It was also the first network to launch LTE back in 2012. Vodacom also says the SIM card needs to be provisioned for it, and it can be done for free by dialling 082 135.
And lastly it comes down to coverage. You will need to have access or be in proximity to an LTE tower to get onto it to make a VoLTE call. When the service is not available, it will default to 2G or 3G technologies for the call, which is a seamless experience for the customer. One can make a call on VoLTE to a device that does not have 4G/LTE coverage and vice versa, with some functionality being limited.
An important thing to be aware of is how you get billed for VoLTE. Vodacom says the service does not use data bundles as it is not treated as a VoIP call. Instead, it will be billed as a voice bundle or minute balance, whichever is most applicable to the customer.
How to tell if the VoLTE service is active? By checking if the ‘VoLTE’ logo is visible on your handset, or when you make and receive calls, the 4G logo does not change to 3G.
