Two cellcos in Uzbekistan – Beeline and Ucell – have announced the launch of voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) services on their networks within two days of each other. VoLTE removes the requirement to ‘fall back’ from the 4G LTE network to 2G/3G networks when making a voice call, enables higher call quality with faster connection times and also enables voice calls with simultaneous high speed mobile internet usage. Both operators also confirmed the launch of video-over-LTE (ViLTE), a technology enabling video communication between subscribers in the LTE network without the use of other mobile applications.
Ucell announced on its website that it is launching VoLTE and ViLTE in a first phase covering the Navoi region for both consumer and B2B customers, to be followed by expansion throughout Uzbekistan. Tariffs for voice and video calls will remain unchanged. Ucell’s release adds that the operator is ‘one of the first in Uzbekistan to launch a video communication service via ViLTE’.
Beeline Uzbekistan posted the news on its website that it has also launched VoLTE and ViLTE services initially in Navoi, while ‘in a matter of hours’ it also switched on VoLTE/ViLTE in Bukhara city and region. Furthermore, Beeline says it plans to complete VoLTE coverage throughout Uzbekistan by the end of November. Beeline highlighted that ViLTE ‘has advantages over instant messengers with video calling functionality: connection speed and reliability, high video resolution and ease of use without the need to install third-party applications.’
As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate rival Uzbek cellco Mobiuz launched commecial VoLTE services in June this year before expanding the VoLTE footprint to all regions.
Source: https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2023/10/23/ucell-beeline-join-mobiuz-in-offering-volte/