CNN reports that Verizon will be showing off its new 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) voice network at next week’s Mobile World Congress. This will allow voice calls to take place over the Internet, rather than using the existing CDMA voice network.
The technology, which is currently known as VoLTE (Voice Over LTE), is basically like VoIP for home or business phones, but it takes place on a mobile network.
Verizon started rolling out its 4G data network back in December and plans on introducing a number of 4G or 4G-upgradable devices by the first half of the year.
Most of those devices, however, will only use 4G for data connections. This can include video chat over Skype, sending and receiving e-mails and playing back video. However, it does not include standard voice calls. With VoLTE, that will change — certain 4G phones will gain the ability to make voice calls over the 4G data network rather than using the older CDMA network.
One of the devices that will benefit from VoLTE is the LG Revolution 4G. The smartphone won’t ship with VoLTE enabled, but future updates will give the phone the ability to make 4G voice calls. If a user drops into an area without 4G coverage, calls will be made over the older CDMA network as expected.
VoLTE will finally allow Verizon to give its users the ability to send data and make phone calls simultaneously.
AT&T will be rolling out its LTE strategy later this year but the company hasn’t made any announcements about its plans for Voice Over LTE.
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