GSMA Helps Global Operators Complete Voice Over LTE-Trial

The GSMA recently completed work on a comprehensive six-month trial on VoLTE roaming with six mobile network operators from across Asia, Europe and the United States. The trial included China Mobile, KPN, KT Corporation, NTT DOCOMO, SK Telecom and Verizon Wireless who formed the VoLTE and RCS Interconnection/Roaming Trial Team (VRirTT) to assess the technical feasibility of a number of different VoLTE roaming models for use around the world. These included Local Break Out Visited Network Routing (LBO VR), which refers to the local provision of data services by a visited network, and S8 Home Routed (S8 HR) architecture, which enables the fast commercialisation of VoLTE for high-definition, high-quality voice and video roaming services. Both will have a significant impact on the way VoLTE roaming is conducted in the future.

The trial began in October 2014 and focused on basic roaming functions such as registration, voice and video calling as well as an evaluation of the performance of LBO and S8 HR architecture specifically for commercial roaming deployments over both long and short distances. The majority of operators used lab test conditions for the network trial, however some used a combination of commercial and pre-commercial networks. A commercial version of IP exchange (IPX) and network equipment was also used to replicate the experience of commercial networks.

We are pleased to tell you that the trial was a great success, with the results confirming superior voice quality, call setup time and end-to-end performance compared with 3G roaming. Indeed, NTT DOCOMO have already announced plans for a commercial rollout. The GSMA has now endorsed and validated the use of S8HR architecture as a VoLTE roaming option alongside LBO. Consequently our 800 members will have the opportunity to adopt these two options to deploy VoLTE roaming when available that will help to accelerate the service around the world. We are also developing a specification to support VoLTE roaming architecture that will allow operators to bill each other for VoLTE roaming and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

GSMA Network 2020 Programme
According to GSMA Intelligence data, over 40 per cent of the world’s mobile network operators have launched an LTE network, with global LTE coverage exceeding a quarter of the population. GSMA Intelligence also predicts that there will be 450 standalone VoLTE networks and 300 RCS networks by 2020, providing a solid foundation for delivering all-IP communications. The GSMA’s Network 2020 programme works closely with operators around the world to reduce complexity and fragmentation and promote scale and interoperability of services in order to deliver better consumer experiences. The GSMA is focused on accelerating the adoption of all-IP communication services for voice and conversational video (VoLTE) and messaging (RCS), ensuring that devices and networks deliver a native, seamless global service.

To find out more about the GSMA’s Network 2020 programme, go to www.gsma.com/network2020.