How to Convert LTE Phone to VoLTE?

LTE networks are gaining popularity due to their significantly faster data transfer speeds than previous generations of 3G or 2G. A phone must be LTE enabled to take advantage of the 4G network and other next-generation features.

The majority of networks, however, support LTE for data only. For voice and SMS, the phone switches to 3G/2G. Once the call is complete, the device switches back to 4G. VoLTE is an IMS-based network that enables the delivery of voice calls over a 4G network.

To make voice calls over the LTE network, the handset, and the mobile operator must support VoLTE.

If the device lacks VoLTE capability and network support, the requirements for enabling VoLTE on the phone become more stringent. It could be as simple as enabling a few settings or as complex as installing new software. We will cover how to enable Voice Over LTE on a device.

Why do we need VoLTE?

Before LTE, in 2G/3G, the voice was using the circuit-switched network.
Because the packet-switched network was slower and for better quality, a dedicated circuit was required to flow the voice data.
But with LTE, the packet-based call data can be transferred faster than a dedicated channel, even if a virtual circuit is formed over the packet-switched network.
So it’s obvious to switch voice over LTE.

What is LTE Network?

A very high-speed data network that comes under the 4th generation of a mobile network. In the 4G new network, elements have been developed and placed in the network to achieve faster data speed. The core network for LTE is EPC, and the radio access network is E-UTRAN. These together provide access to the Internet from UE at a higher speed. You can use any VOIP client to make voice calls over the data network from a mobile device. The call will be free, and the mobile operators will only charge for data consumed. But if a mobile phone is connected to the WiFi for the Internet, the mobile operator will not get any money as the VOIP call will use data over a WiFi internet connection. Moreover, the telecom network will be

skipped. This leads to less data usage for a mobile operator. The network operator needs to develop new IP-based services to utilize the LTE network fullest.

What is VoLTE Network?

Voice Over LTE is to make a voice call over the 4G data network without any 3G/2G fallback. This brings new requirements to the network and phone. IMSI support is an essential requirement for call-over data. All communication takes place over SIP and other VoIP technologies.

The phone will have iSIM and other functionalities to support the IP call.

What are the advantages of VoLTE?

As we can see above, the network can access high-speed data. But still missing formal applications from a mobile operator, those can consume more data and bring more revenue to the operator. IMS, or Internet Multimedia Services, is a new concept that will work over a high-speed data connection to make Internet applications formal.

So mobile phones can consume more and more data. In India, Reliance Jio offers a voice-over LTE network. Because of this, users can have free voice calls with good quality over the data network. It’s also called HD voice service. Compared to the previous 3G or 2G, the 4G network is developed to accommodate voice calls over the Internet.

IMS is the network that provides all 2g/3G services over the data network. It brings more utilization of network resources.

Are VOIP and VoLTE the same?

Both are standard technologies these days for voice communication over an IP network. At a basic level, they use the same network protocols. But at the concept level, they are different.

In the VOIP, the client/server is not standardized. Each VOIP client has its server and client. VoLTE is standardized. The same phone may connect to any operator for voice-over LTE by changing the sim card. No need to install any additional client software if the phone supports voice over the 4G network.

VoIP requires mobile, web, or desktop application software for calling. VoLTE requires no special software, either phone has an inbuilt application, or mobile operators can update the phone over the air.

VoLte does not use the WiFi internet, while others do. The network and the phone should support the WiFi calling feature if it has to be WiFi.

Voice over the Internet has been for a long time, while Volte is newer.

VOIP has its dialer and uses a separate list of contacts for calling. While VoLte uses the dialer from the phone and has access to all phone contacts.

In VoIP, the user experience is different while receiving and making calls. In VoLTE, the user experience is the same as on any other network.

Convert a phone from LTE to Volte:

The first step is to check if a phone supports LTE. This means it supports 4G data. You can check settings for the type of network connection it supports. If there is only an option for 2G/3G, then the phone does not support LTE. In this situation, only a new phone will be the option for VoLTE. You cannot change any hardware inside the device to enhance it for LTE.

Now you have checked that the phone is LTE enabled. The next step to check is whether voice-over LTE is supported by the phone. Whenever you purchase a phone from the model number, support for VoLTE can be found. If you have an older phone, insert a sim card supporting VoLTE. If there is a sign of Volte, then the phone supports the feature else not.

Phones also have feature settings in network settings options. E.g., in Samsung S8, go to settings–>Connections–> Mobile Network. There are VoLTE call settings. Other phones, e.g., iPhones, may also have settings.

You can also get the supported features by doing online research based on the phone model. Here is the list of phones that support the feature.

Non-LTE phone to VolLTE conversion Android and iPhone:

Chances that the phone has not this calling feature, although 4G data is supported. Some apps can be installed in this case, and the phone will start supporting the new calling feature. Indian mobile operator Jio has the option to convert the LTE to VoLte by installing the Jio4GVoice from the google play store and for iPhones iTunes. There are other apps as well in the store for supporting a new feature. Depending on the handset, you can install the required app.

Following are the steps for conversion for Jio:

Download and install Jio4GVoice on the phone.

Open the app, give the required permissions, and verify the Jio phone number. Before confirming, you have a Jio sim card inserted in the sim slot with supports LTE.

Once successfully installed, permission will need to use the Jio app as the default dialing app. So whenever the next time any call is from the Jio number, it will be a Volte call.

It is not just the phone, you might have a feature with Jio, but when changing the sim card, you will not have calls over the Internet. The reason is that the mobile operator does not support VoLTE.

LTE to VolTE network conversion:

At the start, we discussed that VoLTE should be supported by both the phone and the mobile core network. GSMA Spec defines all interfaces, protocols, and network nodes for voice service over the LTE network. On the phone side, new stacks for IP calls were pushed. On the network side, along with EPC, IMS is the newer network for voice-over LTE. IMS brings new nodes and new network protocols.

Does Volte always good to use?

Now with 4G, data and data speed is not the problem. Calls have the same quality as they have on a circuit-switched network. But is it good to use IP calls using mobile data always? Let’s assume your connection has a 2GB daily data limit. You do lots of calling over data. This might also include video calling, which consumes lots of data. During calls, all your data is consumed (the mobile operator may detect data only for voice calls).

Now, what to do next? Just use another number or recharge data immediately (if you can buy it). But if you have unlimited calling from the circuit-switched network, there will not be any stopping. So before purchasing a sim that supports voice-over LTE, ensure that data will not be detected for the voice calls. If yes, better go for plans over 3G calling if you do many calls.