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MetroPCS Launches World's First VoLTE Service

Aug 7, 2012, 4:55 PM by Rich Brome @richbrome
updated Aug 7, 2012, 5:40 PM

MetroPCS today announced that it has become the first carrier in the world to launch Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) service, and started selling the world's first commercially-available VoLTE phone, an updated version of the LG Connect, which first went on sale in March. MetroPCS plans to start selling additional VoLTE-capable phones in the coming weeks. According to a spokesperson, the company has not yet determined whether existing Connect phones will be upgraded to support VoLTE, and there are "no plans" to offer VoLTE upgrades for other already-released LTE phones. All previous 4G LTE phones must rely on 3G or 2G networks for voice calls, requiring two overlapping networks for full service, one for voice and one for data. The launch of VoLTE permits 4G-only voice and data, paving the way for the eventual sunset of 2G and 3G networks. In MetroPCS' case, it will allow the company to shut down its CDMA network sooner. LTE is more efficient than CDMA, and running two networks adds its own inefficiencies. Therefore an accelerated move to 4G LTE-only service will allow MetroPCS to make better use of its licensed radio spectrum. Earlier today, two Korean carriers announced plans to launch VoLTE tomorrow. With this announcement, MetroPCS beat them to the world-first title by just a few hours.

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Comments

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Kenzin

Aug 8, 2012, 9:09 AM

Loving this!

This is what I love so much about competitive industries! Little guys like Metro-PCS dropping VoLTE before any of the "Big Five". Hell even US Cellular beat everyone else to full Quad Band!

Just goes to show you how nice (albeit sometimes unfair) capitalism can be 🙂

Jellz

MetroPCS is actually the fifth largest cell phone carrier in the US, by subscribers.

Rich Brome

Kenzin said:
This is what I love so much about competitive industries! Little guys like Metro-PCS dropping VoLTE ...

Agreed! 🙂

Kenzin said:
...Hell even US Cellular beat everyone else to full

...
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Jarahawk

Aug 7, 2012, 5:24 PM

Whoah!

Data only plans are on the way!

Vmac39

That would seem to be the case but, I think there would still be a need for separate voice and data only plans. They will eventually go completely LTE but, unless the are going to offer unlimited voice and text and let the amount of data dictate the c...
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Rich Brome

Why do you say that?

Even with VoLTE, voice calls will still be billed as voice.

Jellz

Aug 7, 2012, 8:48 PM

Gotta give them props

I'm impressed.

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