Vodafone Qatar has launched commercial VoLTE services, enabling high definition (‘HD+’) voice calling over its ‘GigaNet’ cellular network and simultaneous use of IP voice and high speed 4G internet/data services. As reported by Gulf Times, Vodafone Qatar is promising VoLTE users superior voice quality compared to 3G calling, plus shorter call connection time, while users with compatible handsets can also enjoy video-over-LTE (ViLTE) calls. Highlighting the importance of communications technologies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Vodafone Qatar’s COO Diego Camberos said: ‘There could not be a better time to introduce VoLTE … We are all social distancing responsibly and having to rely on technology to multitask and keep our busy lives on track – reaching out to friends and colleagues, even while we shop, order food or send messages. VoLTE is a major step towards enhancing customers’ calling experience, with the ability to use voice and data at the same time, HD+ quality voice calls, and faster call set-up.’ The cellco added that it is working with its smartphone partners to enable VoLTE on an ‘even wider’ range of handsets, while underlining that VoLTE is charged at the same rates as all other voice calls.
TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database says that Vodafone Qatar performed integration and trials of VoLTE and ViLTE technology back in 2016/17, but it took another three years to launch the service commercially.