Smart tests VoLTE; claims a first for the Philippines

PLDT Inc. mobile division Smart Communications, working with technology partner Ericsson, claims to have completed the Philippines’ first successful mobile call using voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) technology. In a press release last weekend, Joachim Horn, chief technology and information advisor at PLDT and Smart, said: ‘We are excited to be the first network in the country to successfully use VoLTE, because this technology holds so much promise in terms of improving the quality of mobile service available to our customers.’ Once deployed by Smart in its network, VoLTE will allow users with VoLTE-capable devices to stay on the 4G LTE network even when making or receiving a call. This means that a user can simultaneously be in a voice call while actively using high speed data for other applications. At present, LTE devices automatically shift to 3G or 2G when making a voice call. Furthermore, VoLTE will also allow Smart subscribers to make video calls without tapping a third-party, over-the-top (OTT) app.