Nepal Telecom (NT) starts testing VoLTE
VoLTE or Voice over LTE is a technology that supports high-bandwidth data and voice transfer over a 4G LTE network. This tech debuted many years ago and it looks like VoLTE is finally coming to Nepal as well. Nepal Telecom has sought to test VoLTE technology in the country from tomorrow.
Nepal Telecom’s VoLTE:
The company had started testing VoLTE service when it started the expansion of its 4G network to more cities and rural areas. The telecom operator has successfully extended its LTE coverage to all 77 districts and plans to begin VoLTE trials from May 17, 2021.
What is VoLTE?
If you’re on a VoLTE network, then your phone calls will use the 4G network to relay your voice to the receiver. Without this, our phones have been switching to a 2G/3G network to make/answer calls even when using a 4G-ready phone. This was a required step to ensure your call was successful since phone calls over a 4G network isn’t possible without VoLTE.
However, once Nepal Telecom introduces VoLTE, voice data will transmit over the 4G network. It’s in the name itself—Voice over LTE. With this, users can enjoy a higher degree of call quality with lower background noise distortions. You can also use the HD video calling function in conjunction with high-speed data transmission. It’s a feature close to what we see on OTT platforms like Viber, Skype, Messenger, etc.
How to enable Nepal Telecom (NTC) VoLTE service?
Since the service is in its trial phase, you must manually activate VoLTE in your Nepal Telecom SIM to test it.
- First, dial *111# on your keypad.
- Then, the USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) response will list three options.
- To activate VoLTE, select the 4G option and then dial 2 on your keypad.
- Now, VoLTE is activated on your NTC SIM.
- To disable it, type *111# on the keypad and select the “Disable VoLTE” option.
Pre-requisite for NTC VoLTE
In certain cases, your smartphone might not be able to accommodate this service. In order to use Voice-over 4G service in NTC’s network, your mobile handset should also support VoLTE service. However, keep in mind that if you have a smartphone imported from India, you will not be able to use this service.
This is due to the fact that phones assembled in India don’t accept the 800 MHz bands that Nepal Telecom uses for its 4G network. Besides this, the company also uses the 1800 MHz band which is supported by made-in-India phones. In rural and remote areas, Nepal Telecom uses the lower frequency band so it can transmit signals farther than the higher band. As a result, there is a chance that you will be unable to enjoy the service when traveling in those places.
- Meanwhile, check out our video of Worldlink Mobility.
