VoLTE stands for Voice over Long-Term Evolution or Voice over LTE, which is a digital packet technology that uses 4G LTE networks to route voice traffic and transmit data. It is the foundation for evolving mobile voice and communication services for packet-switched 4G, Wi-Fi, and 5G networks. VoLTE is how our phones and carriers transmit our voices during a call, and it provides higher quality calls, better service, and the ability to use voice and data simultaneously.
VoLTE is based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architectural framework, with specific profiles for control and media planes of voice service. This facilitates VoLTE on the LTE wireless broadband service defined by GSMA in PRD IR.92. The approach results in the voice service (control and media planes) being delivered as data flows within the LTE data bearer, with no dependency on (or ultimately, requirement for) the circuit-switched voice network to be in the call path.
To be able to make calls via the 4G/LTE network, some conditions must be fulfilled, such as having an LTE-compatible phone, being within the range of an LTE network, having an operator and subscription that support VoLTE for the device model being used, and having VoLTE activated in the devices settings.
The benefits of VoLTE include fast call set-up, high voice quality, reduced background noise, and the ability to use voice and data simultaneously. The eventual goal for carriers is to move everyone over to calling on VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol.
