GSMA Adopts One Voice Initiative for Voice Over LTE

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 03:40 Technology

The GSMA says that it has adopted the work of the One Voice Initiative to drive the mobile industry towards a standard way of delivering voice and messaging services for LTE.

The GSMA's Voice over LTE (VoLTE) initiative has the backing of more than 40 organisations, all of whom support the principle of a single IMS-based voice solution.

"The GSMA recognises the importance of a single, industry-wide solution for voice over LTE and by adopting the work of the One Voice Initiative, we will advance the creation of a global, next-generation wireless ecosystem," said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer at the GSMA. "With the support of the world's leading players in mobile, VoLTE will generate economies of scale similar to those provided through the ubiquitous availability of GSM-based networks and devices. As mobile operators begin to deploy LTE, it is essential their networks are aligned around one, common standard for voice and messaging services, for the benefit of the mobile industry and consumers alike."

For LTE to support voice and messaging, an IP-based solution that will offer interoperable and seamless experience that 2G and 3G wireless technologies offer today is required. IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) can achieve this, and supports all voice call service features such as call waiting, call hold and call barring, and is highly scalable to serve very large subscriber bases. IMS also provides mobile operators with the ability to offer services that can integrate voice calls with enhanced, rich features such as presence, instant messaging and video content, delivered in an interoperable and multi-operator environment.