3G to VoLTE roaming: mitigating the roaming coverage and revenue gap

By Brian Beach, Product Owner- Sr Director Syniverse

With the telecom industry moving to new mobile platforms, large operators are taking steps to decommission their legacy circuit switch networks, such as 3G. This move frees up spectrum that can accommodate the increasing 4G and 5G bandwidth demands of mobile devices and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

This approach is not without its challenges, however. There are still a significant number of operators around the globe that have yet to implement VoLTE or VoLTE roaming. This creates an issue for roamers on these legacy networks who travel into regions where 2G and 3G have been retired. The ability for these devices to fallback to legacy networks to establish voice and data connections is unavailable while roaming.

There is a solution; introducing Syniverse’s Evolved Mobility

For mobile operators worldwide that still do not support VoLTE roaming, implementing Syniverse’s Evolved Mobility 3G to VoLTE roaming solution, will ensure that roaming subscribers using VoLTE-enabled devices can seamlessly connect when roaming onto a visited operator’s network, even if their 3G networks have been retired or decommissioned. Implementing this solution ensures a better customer experience by avoiding disruptions when traveling for those subscribers who do not have VoLTE roaming support.

Syniverse Evolved Mobility is an effective 3G to VoLTE roaming solution that allows both the visited and home networks to maintain the method of roaming that suits them to meet the needs of both operators and end users. This solution facilitates voice and short message service (SMS), clearing, settlement, and near-trade, thus providing full end-to-end capabilities for all parties.

2G fallback is not a viable alternative

Allowing fallback to 2G may seem like a feasible alternative, but it is minimal bandwidth allocation and inability to handle both simultaneous voice and data services will inevitably leave roamers frustrated. Syniverse’s Evolved Mobility can alleviate this problem by allowing the necessary fallback, while maintaining the ability for roamers to utilize both voice and data services at the service level they expect.

Testing is important

Testing in today’s dynamic telecom industry is extremely important to assure the quality of the international roaming services provided to customers, especially for operators who implement VoLTE services.

One cost-effective solution is for operators to utilize a full-service partner equipped to support an operator through the steps of implementing a VoLTE roaming network, while developing strong VoLTE roaming relationships with a global network of operators. Backed by a knowledgeable team of experts and cloud-based services, an operator can expedite a successful VoLTE implementation from network architecture design to roaming launch. Every step of the launch process can be supported with an experienced partner, including the fast and effective creation of roaming agreements, IREG and TADIG testing, billing and charging through TAP or BCE, and clarifying common challenges including lawful intercept.

Syniverse’s 3G to VoLTE solution

By implementing a fully outsourced solution that provides a unique customer experience through one-stop shop services to provide complete international roaming testing and operations, both small and large operators can outsource their roaming coverage to overcome the complexities of managing back-end roaming. This allows them to successfully achieve CAPEX/OPEX reduction, quicker rollouts, and faster time to market for a global reach delivering enhanced customer satisfaction and revenue growth. Visit www.syniverse.com/products/ evolved-mobility for more information.

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