Smile, MediaTek Partner to Launch VoLTE Phones in Africa

Emma Okonji

Smile Communications and MediaTek have teamed up to bring the latest Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE ) technology smartphones to customers in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This follows validation of the MediaTek 4G VoLTE (Voice over 4G LTE) solution on the Smile network. Smile is one of Africa’s leading providers of fast, reliable mobile voice and data services on 4G LTE and MediaTek is one of the top two global providers of 4G LTE chipset platforms to smartphone makers.

4G VoLTE is a voice technology for high-definition (HD) voice and video communications over a 4GLTE network. Compared to traditional 2G and 3G networks, VoLTE allows consumers to benefit from superior voice, video and data services on single device and a single data plan. It gives customers the choice of using their data for any service they want including voice and video, allows for faster connection of traditional calls and improves call quality.
Announcing the initiative, Smile Group Executive Director Operations, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh, said: “Affordability and superior technology are the key factors for a successful rollout of 4G VoLTE. That’s why we have combined Smile’sworld-class 4G LTE technology with the MediaTek Helio chipset and MediaTek powered smartphones.

“Our collaboration with MediaTek will help ensure seamless voice, data and SMS services over LTE with dual-SIM, affordable smartphones on MediaTek’s Helio platform. This will enable our customers to benefit from richer, more reliable services, clearer voice calls, and value added benefits as they use our bundled VoLTE smartphones. It is in line with our commitment to offering affordable smartphones with competitive specifications and data, voice and SMS bundled as a single offer for customers in every market segment.”

The Director of Corporate Sales for South and sub Saharan Africa at MediaTek, Dominique Friedl, said: “VoLTE is recognised as the industry-agreed progression of voice services, enabling operators to make more efficient use of spectrum than traditional voice, eliminating the need to have voice on one network and data on another, and unlocking new revenue potential. We are delighted to work with Smile as it uses this technology to leapfrog legacy mobile voice solutions and provide customers with a new-age user experience.”