Today, MetroPCS proudly claims the title of world's first mobile carrier to launch Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services, which it will offer with a new Android-powered phone in the form of the LG Connect 4G.
This move puts it one step ahead of many other carriers and literally one day ahead of South Korea's SK Telecoms, which had the mind to offer VoLTE services but planned on launching the same tomorrow.
MetroPCS says the sale of its first VoLTE-capable handset happened in one of its Dallas/Fort Worth stores. Those who also want to get the LG Connect 4G Android smartphone for themselves may do so by going to one of several MetroPCS stores.
What Else You Need To Know:
- VoLTE uses packet switching technology instead circuit switching in order to handle voice calls, which means the corresponding data is being handled along with other types of data on the same IP network.
- The LG Connect 4G features a 4-inch WVGA touchscreen display, 5-megapixel camera, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, Wi-Fi connectivity, and what appears to be Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Other sources
- Mobile Tech News
- MetroPCS Launches World's First Commercially Available Voice Over LTE Service and VoLTE-Capable 4G L
- Other
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MetroPCS offers world's first Voice over LTE service
Hopefully the move toward more efficient transmission of voice data will let carriers bump up the audio quality.
- Hot Cellular Phone
- MetroPCS Launches World’s First VoLTE Service
- Other
- MetroPCS launches US’ first commercially available VoLTE network
- GottaBeMobile
- MetroPCS First U.S. Carrier Out of the Gate With Voice Over LTE
- Into Mobile
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MetroPCS launches VoLTE service, first compatible smartphone – LG Connect 4G
Calls to and from the [LG Connect 4G] will use VoLTE, regardless of the phone or network used on the other end of the call.
- Fierce Wireless
- MetroPCS launches VoLTE service via LG Connect smartphone
- Softpedia
- MetroPCS Launches World’s First “Voice Over LTE” Services with LG Connect 4G
- Hot Cellular Phone
- MetroPCS Launches World’s First Commercially Available Voice Over LTE Service and VoLTE-Capable 4G LTE Smartphone
- GigaOM
- MetroPCS enters the VoIP age. Who will be next?