VoLTE - what is it in a phone or smartphone?

With the development of digital technologies, it is no wonder even an experienced user gets confused in the names and terms. What can we say about the rest. The topic of this article will be VoLTE - what is it on the phone and how to disable it. Is such technology needed, how can one determine if it is in a smartphone? All these and other questions will be resolved. You will learn all the details, and you will also be able to decide for yourself whether you need to turn it off.

What is LTE?

In order to continue talking about VoLTE, we need to define what LTE is, since it is the basic concept of the technology. LTE is a new generation standard for wireless data transmission. Intended for mobile and other devices, because it is based on the previous generation of GSM/EDGE networks. But these two networks, oddly enough, are not compatible. Because they work in different ranges. LTE also uses a different air interface. The core of the previous network was completely redesigned and improved.

Such networks are now used all over the world. Despite the fact that it is often called 4G, it does not meet all the requirements for the fourth generation mobile network. The main goal of the network was to increase throughput. It was fully achieved. Today, every user can verify this using the mobile Internet. It’s easy to remember for comparison what it was like in 3G and draw your own conclusions.

Theoretically, LTE networks can transfer data at speeds of up to 45 MB per second. But most often this speed is much lower. This is due to many factors. The main one is the distance to the base station sending the signal. The speed figure is not so impressive. And the capabilities of wired Internet are still far away. Nevertheless, for the mobile Internet this is indeed considerable progress in a relatively short period of time.

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How to enable VoLTE on a Xiaomi smartphone?

Today, almost all new Xiaomi models are compatible with VoLTE and this is, in fact, one of the few manufacturers that supports the new communication standard to such an extent. However, many Xiaomi smartphone owners do not know how to enable VoLTE on their devices. In fact, enabling and synchronizing VoLTE on Xiaomi phones is done in just a few simple steps.

We go to the settings of the smartphone.
Select the “SIM cards and mobile networks” section.
In the menu that opens, select “Enable VoLTE” and move the slider to “Enabled” mode.

What is VoLTE in a smartphone?

We have figured out the main part of this intricate technology. As for VoLTE, a prefix is added here in the form of two words in English “Voice over”. If we consider this abbreviation in full, we get “Voice over LTE”. Now it is becoming clearer. That is, this is the transmission of a voice message over the LTE network. The pioneer of this type of voice transmission was SingTel. A few months later in 2014, Samsung released a new model of the Galaxy Note 3 device, which introduced VoLTE.

In simpler terms, what is VoLTE on your smartphone is a way to communicate over the LTE mobile network. The technology complements the main one and allows you to talk without any interference and with good quality of transmitted sound.

How VoLTE technology works

For full transmission of voice messages over this network, IMS helps it. This is another technology that provides audio routing over IP. Already in 2020, VoLTE began to be used in most developed countries, including Russia. To this day, its distribution is successfully carried out by the leaders of cellular communications - Beeline, MTS, Tele2, Megafon. Today you can already use high-speed Internet in all major cities of the Russian Federation.

Why is VoLTE needed?

Users very often ask a question that sounds like: “VoLTE, what is this on the phone?” Above, we have already partially answered what VoLTE itself is, but it would be completely useful to explain how it all works and why it is actually needed.

And so, we have already noted several times that LTE networks themselves transmit only data, but do not transmit the usual voice calls. However, many will disagree, because we use LTE every day, but at the same time we receive and make calls without any problems. So everything works like that? Not really. When making an outgoing or incoming call, 4G is turned off and the smartphone is switched to 3G or 2G mode, and a connection with your subscriber is established in these networks. In other words, during a telephone conversation you stop receiving any Internet traffic. Batch data is not received from services, messages from instant messengers and social networks are not received on your phone, and so on. Even the very fact of switching between 4G and 3G causes many negative effects, such as, for example, additional load on the operator’s network and a significantly longer connection establishment between subscribers, in some cases it can even reach 20 seconds.

The VoLTE function in a smartphone allows you to avoid all the unwanted effects described above, since the call is made directly through LTE. This means that Internet traffic continues to flow and a connection between subscribers now takes a matter of seconds. This technology also allows us to solve several problems that are less obvious to the user. Thanks to three times higher network capacity, the load on one relay tower is greatly reduced, which in turn allows it to be used by a much larger number of subscribers. In addition, in new generation networks, sound transmission is significantly improved, which makes the voice of your interlocutor deeper and clearer, and all extraneous annoying noise disappears.

Today, 4G calls within the network of one operator are very easy and fast. However, you may still experience problems with VoLTE roaming. Therefore, for now, you can only get the maximum effect from new generation communications if all your friends and colleagues use the services of one operator.

Key benefits of VoLTE

It's time to look at all the advantages of VoLTE over other methods and technologies for accessing the Internet on mobile devices.

One of the important advantages is the speed of communication with another subscriber. When you call your friends on the phone, you usually wait a few seconds before the connection occurs and the short ringing beeps begin. Over VoLTE networks, communication between devices occurs almost instantly;
Another important advantage is the quality of communication. When communicating, you will no longer encounter strange interference on the handset or similar noise that interferes with the conversation. The voice of the respondent on the handset is much clearer and cleaner. However, it is not necessary that both devices support VoLTE;
When mobile operators first organized the use of 4G or LTE Internet, but voice communication took place over old GSM networks, the Internet turned off after accepting the call. With VoLTE this is not necessary. Since related networks are compatible, and you can simultaneously communicate and be on Odnoklassniki or VKontakte;
Using VoLTE, you will not need to track the balance of paid Internet megabytes. The new tariffs will use up the minutes of your tariff package;
It is quite possible that tariff plans will be revised and operators will make prices acceptable to everyone.

Communication between subscribers using VoLTE
Thus, the main conclusion can be drawn from these points - the voice quality when communicating on the phone and the speed of dialing improves. These are truly important parameters for the evolution of the mobile network. But it is important to also consider the disadvantages of this type of connection.

VoLTE is not widespread today due to limited coverage capabilities. Here, various factors become obstacles - from mobile operators to the technical difficulties of its implementation. In remote areas, when using VoLTE and losing the signal, subscribers need to switch to 3G in the settings in order to make a call;
When using a new generation network, mobile devices will become discharged more often, since VoLTE requires additional power during operation. If your phone's battery is low, it makes sense to switch the connection to 3G to save battery resources during calls.

How to disable

Disable the service as follows:

Megafon - turns off along with the tariff Turn On!
MTS –USSD request *111*6*01# and call button.
Beeline - on iOS, deactivate the LTE function, on Android - it is disabled automatically when you change the mobile operator.
Tele2 – send a request from the keyboard *219*0#.

Disabling the service is only required if you forcibly connected it.

How to deactivate VoLTE on a smartphone?

Based on the previous points, in which it becomes necessary to disable VoLTE on your phone, let’s look at how to do this. Disabling the technology is quite simple. To do this, you need to go to the main settings of your device and find the appropriate item. If your phone supports the network, do the following:

In the settings, find the “Connections” section;
Select “Mobile networks” and find the line with VoLTE here;
You need to move the switch. Some items may be named differently depending on your device model and operating system.

Disabling VoLTE in a smartphone
In the same way, you can check whether your smartphone supports VoLTE technology. Let's also look at some popular models that clearly support it. This way, if you decide to use 4G for voice communications in the future, you can target them.

Apple's popular line of mobile devices supports 4G, starting with iPhone version 6;
Nokia smartphones have acquired it from the Lumia 830 model and higher;
The Chinese line of ZTE smartphones supports VoLTE from the Blade 8 model and above;
And when buying Xiaomi, you definitely can’t go wrong, since this manufacturer makes almost all of its devices with support for the new network;
The Samsung Galaxy line of devices also supports VoLTE.

Of course, these are not all phones that support the new generation network. The entire list probably won’t fit into this article. Therefore, you need to ask a consultant at the salon for help in choosing. A device with VoLTE can be found in almost all price categories. In addition to the mentioned feature, smartphones are often equipped with other useful functions and accessories:

USB OTG - with this adapter you have the opportunity to connect external devices to your smartphone. For example, a keyboard for entering text or playing games;
NFC is a function (or module) that allows you to exchange information with other devices and make electronic payments;
Face recognition is a new type of unlocking for your device that uses the owner's facial features and recognizes him.

How to start using it?

Volte: what is it in a smartphone?

First, make sure your phone supports this feature. If this is the case, then you will next need to activate the service from your mobile operator:

Megafon – on the tariffs of the Get Involved! The service is activated automatically and does not require additional payments or activation. Minutes using innovative technology are already included in the package of minutes. All you need is a SIM card with 4G support.
MTS - dial USSD request *111*6# from your phone keyboard and press the call key.
Beeline - no operator action required. On Android devices it is activated automatically. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → Data Options → Voice & Data → Activate LTE.
Tele2 – USSD request to *219*1#.
Reason – the service is already activated on all tariffs.

The peculiarities of the work are such that as soon as the LTE network disappears, your phone itself will switch to another available network.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

The use of HD Voice codecs provides high quality sound, gives it volume, and reduces the amount of extraneous noise. If in 2G and 3G networks contact with a subscriber occurs with a delay of 20 seconds, then in smartphones with VoLTE the connection takes 1-2 seconds.
Significant savings in battery life during a conversation between subscribers on phones that support the technology. The gadget does not leave the 4G (LTE) network, and a lot of energy is spent on the transition between 4G, 3G, 2G.
If the called subscriber does not have this function installed, the device automatically switches to 3G, the connection speed and quality of communication correspond to 3G.
The ability to talk on the phone while simultaneously viewing your pages on social networks, checking email, using a navigator and any gadget applications.
A Skype conversation is not interrupted if the subscriber receives a call on their smartphone.

Flaws:

Not all smartphones support this technology.
A new SIM card is required.
The service is not available in roaming and other regions in Russia, except those listed.

Requirements

Voice is a new system that is creating a global change in the technological field of communications. The function from Beeline is available in Moscow, St. Petersburg and nearby regions. Before connecting, you need to change your SIM card to a new product, if this has not already been done. When the phone does not have the default IMS platform installed, support is not activated. The multimedia IP subsystem is available only in devices that began to be produced from the end of 2014.

The service is free, but does not work in roaming.

Which tariff plans are supported?

Connection is provided to subscribers who use tariff plans from the “EVERYTHING” line or have activated the “Highway” option. The program will not work correctly if there is no 4G coverage in the area. The signal level should be above the middle mark. All supporting tariffs:

Tariffication	Internet, GB	minutes	SMS	Price, rub./day	Devices
"EVERYTHING1"	5	200	300	13,33	Galaxy Alpha (SM-G850F)
"EVERYTHING2"	17	400	300	20	Note Edge (SM-N915F)
"EVERYTHING3"	22	120	300	30	Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F) – B7
"EVERYTHING4"	30	2000	300	50	Galaxy S6 Edge (SM-G925F) – B7
“Absolutely EVERYTHING”	30	5000	300	83,33	Honor 6 (H60-L04); Ascend Mate7 (MT7-L09)

The phone firmware must support the LTE and 4G frequency range. If the mobile phone has two SIM cards, then the Beeline card is inserted into the second slot.

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