T-Mobile has launched in the US Voice over 5G (VoNR), which allows customers to make and receive voice calls via 5G connection.
The service is only available in two cities – Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah – but a wider deployment of the technology will increase the efficiency of next-generation networks and reduce reliance on 4G.
If voice traffic can be transmitted over a 5G stand-alone network (5G SA) instead of LTE, then devices do not need to switch network technologies during calls, which means that applications can use 5G without interruption.
5G FWA broadband access
VoNR realizes the full potential of 5G SA because operators do not need to maintain a parallel LTE radio network. Although 4G and 5G are expected to coexist for some time to come, operators will be able to free up network resources and spectrum for next-generation technologies.
The same logic was applied when operators deployed Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology ten years ago. VoLTE has added the ability to transmit voice traffic in 4G, improving quality and reducing reliance on 3G.
With VoNR, T-Mobile says customers won’t notice anything other than that calls can connect faster than 4G.
“T-Mobile is setting the pace for providers around the world as we move the industry forward – now we are starting to deploy another critical service through 5G,” said Neville Ray, president of T-Mobile technology.
“5G is already driving new levels of engagement by changing the way our customers use their smartphones, and providing unprecedented connectivity in areas that desperately need it. And it will simply improve thanks to the incredible T-Mobile team and our partners, who are constantly innovating and expanding 5G every day. ”
Most of the early 5G networks relied on non-autonomous 5G (5G NSA), which uses new radio technology but still relies on the core 4G.
5G SA is equipped with a new virtual cloud core that allows you to process data closer to the collection site and provides features such as network slicing. This provides guaranteed speed, increased reliability and ultra-low latency – qualities that will be crucial in providing the most revolutionary 5G applications.
https://www.techradar.com/news/t-mobile-now-offers-voice-calls-over-5g-in-the-us/
