What are the key benefits and drawbacks of IMS and VoLTE for roaming and international calls?

1 What is IMS?

IMS stands for IP Multimedia Subsystem, a framework that enables the delivery of multimedia services over IP networks. IMS allows operators to offer voice, video, messaging, and other services using a common platform, regardless of the underlying network technology. IMS also supports interoperability and compatibility among different operators and devices, making it easier to roam and switch between networks.

2 What is VoLTE?

VoLTE stands for Voice over LTE, a technology that enables voice calls over LTE networks. VoLTE uses IMS as the core network to provide high-quality voice services, as well as other features such as HD video calling, rich communication services (RCS), and simultaneous voice and data. VoLTE also reduces the need for circuit-switched fallback (CSFB), a mechanism that switches voice calls to 2G or 3G networks when LTE is not available.

3 Benefits of IMS and VoLTE

IMS and VoLTE offer a variety of advantages for operators and subscribers. VoLTE provides higher bandwidth, lower latency, and better codec support than traditional voice services, resulting in clearer and more natural voice calls. Additionally, it enables HD video calling and RCS, which enhance the communication experience with multimedia features. IMS and VoLTE allow operators to use the same network infrastructure and spectrum for voice and data services, reducing the complexity and maintenance costs of legacy systems. Furthermore, it enables them to optimize the network resources and capacity, as well as offer more competitive and flexible pricing plans for subscribers. Moreover, IMS and VoLTE support seamless roaming and handover between different networks and regions, improving the coverage and quality of voice services. This allows operators to provide attractive and affordable roaming and international calling options for subscribers such as Wi-Fi calling, local breakout, or home-routed calls.

4 Drawbacks of IMS and VoLTE

IMS and VoLTE have some drawbacks for operators and subscribers, such as deployment and compatibility challenges, security and privacy risks, and customer awareness and adoption issues. Deployment requires significant investment and coordination to upgrade and integrate network infrastructure, devices, and services. Additionally, the availability and compatibility of other operators and devices may vary across regions. Security threats such as hacking, spoofing, interception, and denial-of-service attacks can be faced by IMS and VoLTE. Therefore, robust encryption and authentication mechanisms are necessary to protect the confidentiality and integrity of voice communications. Furthermore, many subscribers may not be aware of or understand the value of IMS or VoLTE compared to other over-the-top (OTT) voice or messaging applications like WhatsApp, Skype, or Telegram.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?