Telefónica claims LATAM’s first fixed/mobile IMS VoLTE network

Telefónica and ZTE have set to work on constructing a unified fixed-mobile convergent IMS VoLTE network to support domestic and mobile HD calling.

Calling it a first for Telefónica in LATAM, and specifically in the market of Peru, the carrier says the project also marks a continental first for both mobile and landline-ready VoLTE. It began with a fixed IMS network construction in 2015, and following its success Telefónica del Perú decided to launch the converged version in order to boost its competitive in the Latin America mobile internet industry.

It claims that the biggest challenge was to implement a landline network IMS deployment capable of integrating with legacy characteristics, such as TDM switches, PSTN/ISDN services and POTS. In doing so, it created a new HD voice network which ensures compatibility with interactive calling services such as VPN, call collect or voice mail.

ZTE says the service provides Telefónica with high definition voice as well as voice and data combined services over LTE – such as HD video calling.

“Telefónica del Perú has been and will be quite active on the evolution of its network to provide more profitable and competitive services for our users while reducing our TCO,” said Pedro Planas, CTO at Telefónica del Perú. “We rely on ZTE to perform the network modernisation project for both fixed and mobile networks. The whole project has been implemented quickly and smoothly and has demonstrated the management and delivery skills of ZTE. The new challenge for Telefónica del Perú is the evolution of the network toward virtualization technologies. We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with ZTE, a Telefónica reference partner in NFV technologies.”