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PUBLISHED ON: DECEMBER 27, 2022

Difference between LTE and VoLTE

The mobile Internet is approaching a new age. This is the period between 3G and 4G Internet. And there is a lot of hype about Reliance Jio's free phone calling and free unlimited 4G Internet service. Since Jio launched the offer, many have inquired if their phone supports 4G and the difference between LTE and VoLTE. This post will explain why people are inquiring about concepts such as LTE and VoLTE. We shall also discover how these two technologies are different and which one is superior.

What is LTE?

LTE is a standard for mobile Internet technologies. LTE is an acronym for Long Term Evolution. You may ask why LTE keeps appearing in conjunction with 4G. LTE technology is often referred to as 4G (or fourth generation). 4G and LTE are essentially synonymous.

Theoretically, LTE allows download speeds of up to 100 MBit/s and upload speeds of up to 50 MBit/s. LTE-Advanced, an additional form of LTE, enables download speeds of 1 GBit per second and upload speeds of 500 MBit per second.

LTE is regarded as a technical advancement above CDMA and GSM protocols, which have been used for numerous years. Mobile Internet Service Providers are upgrading their networks from 3G to 4G in the present day. LTE is rapidly becoming accessible worldwide. LTE is the fastest data transmission technology currently available and may soon become the most popular mobile Internet technology.

Features:

  • Increased peak data rates, such as 100 Mbps in downlink and 50 Mbps in uplink.
  • Enhanced bit rates at the cell boundary, assuming existing site positions.

Advantages:

  • Rapid Download Rates.
  • Rapid Web Surfing.
  • Streaming of High-Quality Video in Real-Time.
  • Extended battery life

Disadvantages:

  • Currently, this service is not accessible in all cities.
  • More towers and innovative technology must be created for improved signals in transportation, such as buses and trains.

What is VoLTE?

VoLTE is a technology that allows simultaneous speech and data transmission across a network without degrading voice quality. In LTE, the speech quality will degrade if you make a voice call while your data connection is active. Therefore, in order to make a high-quality phone call, you must disable data. You may have observed that in the case of 2G and 3G, certain phones automatically pause data transmission during phone calls to preserve sound quality.

With VoLTE, however, the voice quality will not degrade even if the data connection is active. With VoLTE, sending phone calls over the data network is relatively simple.

Features:

  • VoLTE allows simultaneous LTE data browsing and phone conversations (i.e., do not fallback to 2G or 3G coverage while making a voice call)
  • LTE networks provide faster call setup times than 2G/3G networks (about 1.5 seconds against 3.5 to 5 seconds) and offer faster access to additional services.

Advantages:

  • Quicker connections — With VoLTE, the ring set time will be reduced. We aim to associate in under two seconds instead of seven seconds this time.
  • Connecting with Wi-Fi — VoLTE can be employed over the 4G network, but it can also be utilized through any Wi-Fi connection, resulting in savings in data transfer speed.

Disadvantages:

  • Restricted to specific devices — As said before, the only devices that will support VoLTE calls will be those equipped with 4G technology.
  • Disconnection of the call - As we have just said, it is a new innovation, and the 4G organization requires additional expansion to guarantee a conversation without interruptions, as it employs reception apparatuses not used by earlier advances.

LTE vs. VoLTE

LTE VoLTE
  • LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a wireless communication standard that is used to deliver high-quality internet access to mobile devices. It is primarily used for data transmission and is generally faster and more efficient than older technologies, such as 3G.
  • VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is a technology that is used to transmit voice calls over an LTE network. It allows for the transmission of high-quality voice calls with faster call setup times compared to traditional circuit-switched voice networks.
  • The users need to have External software to make video calls on LTE networks such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype.
  • The users need not have an external software to make video calls but just phone number is required to video call anybody.
  • It May or may not support voice calls and data services together.
  • It supports voice calls and data services together.
  • It targets increasing data rates on the 4G bandwidth only.
  • It targets both internet data and voice calling without affecting each other.
  • It takes around 7 seconds to connect a call on 3G networks.
  • It connects the users only in a second if both users are on the VoLTE network.
  • LTE uses a wide range of frequency bands, which allows for the transmission of large amounts of data at high speeds. The specific frequency bands used depend on the region and the service provider.
  • VoLTE uses a narrowband spectrum, which is a dedicated portion of the frequency spectrum that is used specifically for voice calls. This allows for the transmission of high-quality voice calls with minimal interference.
  • It was launched in 2012.
  • It was launched in 2016.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over LTE) are two different technologies that are used in modern cellular networks. LTE is a high-speed data transmission technology that is used to deliver high-quality internet access to mobile devices. VoLTE, on the other hand, is a technology that is used to transmit voice calls over an LTE network.

While both technologies use LTE as the underlying network, they serve different purposes and have different advantages and disadvantages. LTE is primarily used for data transmission and is generally faster and more efficient than older technologies, such as 3G. VoLTE, on the other hand, is used for voice calls and offers improved call quality and faster call setup times compared to traditional circuit-switched voice networks. Overall, both LTE and VoLTE are important technologies that play a key role in modern cellular communication systems.

Related Questions

1. Do all LTE phones support VoLTE?

All modern smartphones support VoLTE calls, and 4G LTE network coverage is increasingly comprehensive, even at the edges of networks. In a nutshell, there are diminishing reasons to keep supporting old, inferior 3G calls and networks for many carriers.

2. How do I change my LTE to VoLTE?

Find and tap Settings ? Network & Internet ? Mobile network ? Preferred network type ? 4G (preferred)/3G/GSM. Tap the switch beside Enable VoLTE to turn the feature on. If Enable VoLTE isn't available, contact your network operator.

3. Do I need a new SIM for VoLTE?

Can I keep my current SIM card? No, your current SIM card is not compatible with VoLTE. It is crucial that you do not remove the new SIM card, or switch it with your current one, as this will cause you to lose service.

4. Is VoLTE calling free?

There are no additional fees. Since VoLTE doesn't use data, you don't get charged additional fees. It saves battery life. With older networks, your phone would have to switch between networks (e.g. from 4G to 2G), which costs battery life.



About the author:
Adarsh Kumar Singh is a technology writer with a passion for coding and programming. With years of experience in the technical field, he has established a reputation as a knowledgeable and insightful writer on a range of technical topics.