OREANDA-NEWS. NEC Corporation has contributed to the launching of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call services, a new, first-of-its kind service in Japan offered by NTT DOCOMO (DOCOMO), as the provider of core network and wireless base station devices.

VoLTE is a new type of call service that utilizes LTE and whose network is made up of wireless base stations, EPC core networks, and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network devices. The new VoLTE service will enable voice calls using LTE communications, significantly shortening time for sending and receiving calls compared to 3G and realizing stable and high-quality calls. The new service will also make it possible to use high-speed data communication services during calls.

NEC's contributions to the new VoLTE service include the provision of video call and Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) (handover processing during movement from LTE areas to 3G areas) functions for existing IMS core network devices as well as the provision of software updates for EPC core network devices already used in LTE services, making the devices compatible with VoLTE services.

"In addition to being selected as the provider of wireless base stations and core network devices for the LTE Xi(tm) services DOCOMO launched in 2010, NEC has also been chosen to develop DOCOMO's LTE-Advanced base stations, making it a significant partner in the construction of DOCOMO's mobile communications networks. NEC will continue to work with DOCOMO in developing 5G and other next-generation mobile communications technologies as part of contributing to the overall advancement of communications infrastructure," said Shunichiro Tejima, executive vice president, NEC Corporation.