Pan-African telecoms operator, Smile Telecom has launched the first voice over LTE (VoLTE) service in East Africa offering high-definition voice and video calling services. The operator rolls out the service initially in Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, as well as in Entebbe and Mukono. It also plans to expand the roll out to other smaller town and cities, including Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Tororo, Lira, Gulu, Masindi, Kasese, Fort Portal, Kabale, Mbarara and Masaka.
The VoLTE service uses Smile's own IMS technology while network integration, project management and testing activities were conducted by Alcatel-Lucent to prepare the network ahead of the launch. Alcatel-Lucent is already supporting the operator in providing network gears which includes LTE radio access network, IP Mobile Core and mobile backhaul technologies.
Smile aims to offer high-definition voice in each of the countries in which it operates, enhancing the subscriber experience and paving the way for the delivery of new differentiated consumer services.
Tom Allen, COO Chief Operating Officer of Smile
Smile chooses to associate with technology partners that are not only known for delivering world class networks but whom are masters at the game and deployment that we want to do at a certain time and place. Alcatel-Lucent has proven themselves to be such a technology partner.
Daniel Jaeger, Vice-President of Alcatel-Lucent activities in Africa
Alcatel-Lucent is supporting the integration of Smile’s own IMS to ensure a converged network architecture that delivers new subscriber features in a cost-effective way.
