Ian Pattison, International CTO of Mavenir, explains how VoLTE and VoWi-Fi will drive MNOs from voice-centric to data-centric strategies
LTE Insights: How is VoLTE laying the groundwork for new service innovation?
Ian Pattison: VoLTE is a fundamental change for multiple reasons. First, it’s the first time that MNO voice service is independent of the macro cellular network and user equipment (UE) - it’s basically VoIP with QoS. This enables MNOs to extend services to any IP enabled UE and over any access network like Wi-Fi or broadband. Second: VoLTE is built on IMS, which enables single users to have multiple user experiences and single subscribers to have multiple identities. This opens the MNO to the world of multi-device and multi-identity services. And third: IMS is also built as a generic multi-media architecture. It opens up possibilities for MNOs to offer services besides voice, like video, presence and messaging, all utilizing the same infrastructure.
To what extent does VoLTE create incentives for RCS adoption?
RCS is a small evolution leveraging IMS and VoLTE. With native clients now available, the promise of RCS being available via native address book is becoming reality - this provides native services to compare with OTT offerings without the downside of downloadable apps, especially across Wi-Fi networks as well as macro-cellular. Further improvement of inter-carrier agreements is possible as VoLTE has the foundation of IMS interconnects.
Most operators view VoLTE as necessary but insufficient. RCS provides video and other rich services as well as support for non-SIM devices/SIM devices. RCS is an opportunity to exploit VoLTE investment and provide richer services that users expect, not just better quality voice service.
Where does Voice over Wi-Fi fit into all this?
From a user perspective VoWi-Fi is a way for operators to improve experience by resolving coverage issues in the macro cellular network, especially for indoor coverage, high-rise coverage or MNOs without low frequency spectrum. The result is improved quality assessment scores - a key way for networks to measure quality.
VoWi-Fi can be provided via the same infrastructure as VoLTE. However it does not need LTE RAN and circuit-switched core upgrades to support VoLTE. This makes it a natural stepping stone to VoLTE and preparing networks for next-gen IMS services. In some developing Asian countries, particularly ones that export labor, MNOs target overseas foreign workers with VoWi-Fi capable phones which help keep them in touch with friends and family back home, all at the cost of a local call.
How can VoLTE help cellcos compete against OTT players?
VoLTE is the foundation but the new multi-device, multi-access network services with HD video and other multiple media services will keep MNOs relevant. Think of a smart TV with a WebRTC browser being used for HD video calling, even though the subscriber only has a 3G phone.
VoWi-Fi can help an operator overcome the challenges of VoIP calling via OTTs. Think of VoWi-Fi as operator-supported VoIP, with the additional benefit of customers their existing numbers while roaming, i.e. full reachability without associated roaming costs for both outgoing and incoming calls while they are on Wi-Fi.
How will the Asian voice market play out over the next five years?
Developing countries in Asia will see MNOs focusing on voice-centric plans over the next five years, but developed countries will see a migration from voice-centric, to data-centric, to data-only plans. MNOs in developed countries will be fully supporting VoLTE over data-centric plans, and will perhaps utilize MVNOs to support voice-centric plans for specific targeted demographics. OTTs will also continue making greater inroads for cross-border VoIP traffic across Asia, unless countered by the deployment of VoLTE, RCS and VoWiFi technologies by MNOs.
This article first appeared in Telecom Asia LTE Insights Supplement September 2014 issue