Vodafone to build network of the future
Ericsson selected to deliver new core network for future services
Vodafone has announced it is completely modernising and consolidating its core network with Ericsson, allowing it to utilise the world’s most technologically advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
Vodafone’s new core network will offer greater network agility and flexibility, create cost efficiencies, and enable the introduction of new LTE (4G) services. Among these will be the introduction of Voice over 4G (also known as VoLTE), which the company will launch in 2015 following trials later this year.
“The current 4G networks primarily focus on providing faster data services. Customers have rapidly adopted 4G smartphones, which offer very fast data speeds. But no Australian network is offering voice calls on its 4G network, and our new core network will enable us to do that,” said Vodafone Chief Technology Officer Benoit Hanssen.
Last month, Vodafone said its 4G network would reach 95 per cent of Australia’s metropolitan population by the end of 2014 by utilising its low-band 850MHz spectrum holding.
“With our enhanced indoor 4G coverage and voice calls on the same network, our customers will feel the difference. The call audio quality will be high definition, and call connection times will be significantly shorter,” said Mr Hanssen.
“In other words, there will be virtually no time lag between the customer pressing the call button and the call being connected when they are using 4G.”
Part of Vodafone’s multi-billion network investment
Today’s announcement is part of the multi-billion dollar investment the company is making in improving its network and customer experience.
The five-year network evolution program will also see Vodafone adopting Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) in the core network which will provide greater network agility and flexibility and create cost efficiencies.
“Vodafone is the first operator in Australia to commit to this technology in its core network, meaning we will have one of the most advanced networks in the world,” said Mr Hanssen.
“It cements Vodafone’s reputation as one of the world leaders in mobile network technology.”
“Our customers will be the big winners as Vodafone will have an even more reliable and resilient network – for them, it will simply mean an even better customer experience.”
Ericsson says network will deliver greater performance, efficiency
Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, Håkan Eriksson, said his team is ready to work with Vodafone to create an even better service for its customers.
“Vodafone will have world’s leading technology in their core network which will enable it to deliver greater network reliability, performance and efficiency,” he said.