UMA/GAN: A Path to Voice-Over-LTE?

The debate about voice services over LTE is heating up.  For LTE proponents, a clear strategy for voice services is a requirement

Things kicked off in October when Informa ran an article in 3G Wireless Broadband about options for voice-over-LTE (VoLTE).  The publication suggested that the slow progress of IMS had opened the door for operators to consider the reuse of existing circuit core infrastructure through options such as GAN.

At the LTE World Summit in November, the VoLTE discussion kicked into high gear. In an interview during the event with Michelle Doneghan of Unstrung, Bill Huang, general manager at China Mobile Research Institute, said the company "is already planning a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network and claims it is the 'most-ready operator' for the so-called 4G mobile broadband technology."

Huang goes on to discuss the importance of supporting VoLTE and says the company is considering UMA technology. He says: "We could carry voice over UMA. We will have an LTE network that supports voice...."

Meanwhile, 3G/4G Wireless Blogger Zahid Ghadialy covered Motorola’s Dr. Howard Benn’s conference presentation in which he discussed several options for voice, including options like GAN.

For some operators, LTE is moving forward quickly, and lining up a low-risk, proven approach for voice support is clearly top-of-mind for many in the industry.

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