2 Chapter 2: An Overview of VoLTE 29
2.1 What is VoLTE? 29
2.2 Architectural Evolution of VoLTE 29
2.2.1 CSFB (Circuit-Switched Fallback): The First Step Towards VoLTE 29
2.2.2 The Push From CDMA Operators 30
2.2.3 Towards an IMS Based VoLTE Solution 31
2.2.4 SRVCC (Single Radio Voice Call Continuity) 32
2.2.5 Integrating Video Telephony 33
2.3 Key Enabling Technologies 33
2.3.1 VoLTE Infrastructure 33
2.3.1.1 IMS Core: CSCF, HSS, BGCF & MGCF 34
2.3.1.2 VoLTE Application Servers 35
2.3.1.3 SBC (Session Border Controller) 35
2.3.1.4 MRF (Media Resource Function) 35
2.3.1.5 PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) 35
2.3.2 VoLTE Devices 36
2.3.3 Roaming & Interconnection Technology 36
2.3.3.1 LBO (Local Breakout) 36
2.3.3.2 S8HR (S8 Home Routing) 37
2.4 Market Growth Drivers 37
2.4.1 Spectral Efficiency & Cost Reduction 37
2.4.2 Enabling HD Voice, Video Calling & Rich IP Communications 38
2.4.3 Improved Battery Life 38
2.4.4 Integration with Wi-Fi: Enhanced Indoor Voice Coverage 39
2.4.5 Bundling Voice with Other Services 39
2.4.6 Fighting the OTT Threat 39
2.5 Market Barriers 40
2.5.1 Initial Lack of Compatible Devices 40
2.5.2 Roaming & Interconnect Issues 40
2.5.3 Limited Revenue Potential 41
2.5.4 Service Assurance Challenges 41
3 Chapter 3: Standardization, Regulatory & Collaborative Initiatives 42
3.1 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) 42
3.1.1 Release 8: VoLTE Interface Requirements 42
3.1.2 Release 9: Support for SRVCC & VoLTE Emergency Calls 43
3.1.3 Release 10: eSRVCC & aSRVCC 43
3.1.4 Release 11: vSRVCC, rSRVCC & VoLTE Roaming Architecture 43
3.1.5 Release 12: EVS & HEVC Codecs 44
3.1.6 Release 13: MCPTT for Critical Communications 44
3.1.7 Release 14: VoLTE Support for IoT Services 45
3.1.8 Release 15: Further Enhancements to Improve VoLTE User Experience 45
3.2 GSMA 45
3.2.1 Feature Requirements 45
3.2.1.1 IR.92: IMS Profile for Voice and SMS 45
3.2.1.2 IR.94: IMS Profile for Conversational Video Service 46
3.2.2 Roaming, Interworking & Other Guidelines 46
3.2.2.1 IR.64: IMS Service Centralization & Continuity Guidelines 46
3.2.2.2 IR.65: IMS Roaming & Interworking Guidelines 46
3.2.2.3 IR.88: LTE Roaming Guidelines 47
3.3 ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) 47
3.3.1 Virtualization for VoLTE Infrastructure 47
3.3.1.1 NFV ISG (Industry Specification Group): Releases 1 – 3 47
3.4 Others 49
4 Chapter 4: VoLTE Deployment Case Studies 50
4.1 AT&T 50
4.1.1 Service Launch Strategy 50
4.1.2 Vendor Selection 50
4.1.3 Future Prospects 50
4.2 China Mobile 52
4.2.1 Service Launch Strategy 52
4.2.2 Vendor Selection 53
4.2.3 Future Prospects 53
4.3 DT (Deutsche Telekom) 54
4.3.1 Service Launch Strategy 54
4.3.2 Vendor Selection 55
4.3.3 Future Prospects 55
4.4 Du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company) 56
4.4.1 Service Launch Strategy 56
4.4.2 Vendor Selection 56
4.4.3 Future Prospects 56
4.5 EE 57
4.5.1 Service Launch Strategy 57
4.5.2 Vendor Selection 57
4.5.3 Future Prospects 57
4.6 KDDI Corporation 59
4.6.1 Service Launch Strategy 59
4.6.2 Vendor Selection 59
4.6.3 Future Prospects 59
4.7 KT Corporation 61
4.7.1 Service Launch Strategy 61
4.7.2 Vendor Selection 61
4.7.3 Future Prospects 61
4.8 LG Uplus 63
4.8.1 Service Launch Strategy 63
4.8.2 Vendor Selection 63
4.8.3 Future Prospects 63
4.9 NTT DoCoMo 65
4.9.1 Service Launch Strategy 65
4.9.2 Vendor Selection 65
4.9.3 Future Prospects 65
4.10 Orange 67
4.10.1 Service Launch Strategy 67
4.10.2 Vendor Selection 67
4.10.3 Future Prospects 67
4.11 Reliance Jio Infocomm 69
4.11.1 Service Launch Strategy 69
4.11.2 Vendor Selection 69
4.11.3 Future Prospects 69
4.12 Rogers Communications 71
4.12.1 Service Launch Strategy 71
4.12.2 Vendor Selection 71
4.12.3 Future Prospects 71
4.13 Singtel 73
4.13.1 Service Launch Strategy 73
4.13.2 Vendor Selection 73
4.13.3 Future Prospects 73
4.14 SK Telecom 75
4.14.1 Service Launch Strategy 75
4.14.2 Vendor Selection 75
4.14.3 Future Prospects 75
4.15 SoftBank Group 77
4.15.1 Service Launch Strategy 77
4.15.2 Vendor Selection 77
4.15.3 Future Prospects 78
4.16 Swisscom 79
4.16.1 Service Launch Strategy 79
4.16.2 Vendor Selection 79
4.16.3 Future Prospects 79
4.17 Telefónica Group 81
4.17.1 Service Launch Strategy 81
4.17.2 Vendor Selection 81
4.17.3 Future Prospects 82
4.18 Telenor Group 83
4.18.1 Service Launch Strategy 83
4.18.2 Vendor Selection 83
4.18.3 Future Prospects 83
4.19 Telstra 85
4.19.1 Service Launch Strategy 85
4.19.2 Vendor Selection 85
4.19.3 Future Prospects 85
4.20 TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile) 87
4.20.1 Service Launch Strategy 87
4.20.2 Vendor Selection 87
4.20.3 Future Prospects 88
4.21 Verizon Communications 89
4.21.1 Service Launch Strategy 89
4.21.2 Vendor Selection 89
4.21.3 Future Prospects 89
4.22 Vodafone Group 91
4.22.1 Service Launch Strategy 91
4.22.2 Vendor Selection 91
4.22.3 Future Prospects 92
5 Chapter 5: Industry Roadmap & Value Chain 93
5.1 Industry Roadmap 93
5.1.1 Pre-2020: Large-Scale VoLTE Service Rollouts 93
5.1.2 2020 – 2025: Building IoT & Advanced Services on VoLTE Architecture 94
5.1.3 2025 – 2030: Continued Investments with 5G Rollouts 94
5.2 Value Chain 95
5.2.1 Enabling Technology Providers 96
5.2.2 VoLTE & IMS Infrastructure Suppliers 96
5.2.3 VoLTE Device OEMs 96
5.2.4 Roaming, Billing & Supplementary Service Providers 96
5.2.5 Mobile Operators 97
5.2.6 Test, Measurement & Performance Specialists 97
6 Chapter 6: Key Ecosystem Players 98
6.1 Accedian Networks 98
6.2 Affirmed Networks 99
6.3 ALEPO 100
6.4 Alpha Networks 102
6.5 Altair Semiconductor 103
6.6 Amdocs 105
6.7 Anritsu Corporation 107
6.8 Apple 109
6.9 Aptilo Networks 110
6.10 Aricent/Altran 112
6.11 Astellia 114
6.12 ASUS (ASUSTeK Computer) 116
6.13 BBK Electronics Corporation/OPPO/Vivo 117
6.14 BICS 118
6.15 Broadcom 119
6.16 BT Group 120
6.17 CCN (Cirrus Core Networks) 121
6.18 Cellwize Wireless Technologies 122
6.19 CENX 123
6.20 CEVA 124
6.21 Cirpack 125
6.22 Cisco Systems 126
6.23 Continual (CellMining) 128
6.24 D2 Technologies 129
6.25 Dialogic 130
6.26 DigitalRoute 131
6.27 D-Link Corporation 132
6.28 Ecrio 133
6.29 ELUON Corporation 134
6.30 Empirix 135
6.31 Ericsson 136
6.32 EXFO 138
6.33 F5 Networks 139
6.34 Federos 140
6.35 Foxconn Technology Group 141
6.36 Fraunhofer IIS (Institute for Integrated Circuits) 142
6.37 Fujitsu 143
6.38 GCT Semiconductor 144
6.39 Gemalto 145
6.40 Gigamon 146
6.41 GL Communications 147
6.42 Google/Alphabet 148
6.43 Hitachi 150
6.44 HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise) 151
6.45 HTC Corporation 152
6.46 Huawei 153
6.47 iBasis 155
6.48 IBM Corporation 156
6.49 IMSWorkX 157
6.50 InfoVista 158
6.51 Intel Corporation 159
6.52 InterDigital 160
6.53 Interop Technologies 161
6.54 Iskratel 162
6.55 Italtel 163
6.56 Keysight Technologies/Ixia 164
6.57 Lenovo 166
6.58 LG Electronics 167
6.59 Mavenir Systems 168
6.60 Meeami Technologies 169
6.61 Metaswitch Networks 170
6.62 Mobileum 172
6.63 Mushroom Networks 173
6.64 MYCOM OSI 175
6.65 Napatech 176
6.66 NEC Corporation 177
6.67 NetComm Wireless 178
6.68 NETGEAR 179
6.69 NETSCOUT Systems 180
6.70 NewNet Mobile Communications 181
6.71 Nokia Networks 182
6.72 NXP Semiconductors 184
6.73 Openet 185
6.74 Optiva 186
6.75 Oracle Communications 187
6.76 Polystar 188
6.77 Qualcomm 190
6.78 Quortus 192
6.79 RADCOM 193
6.80 Radisys Corporation 194
6.81 Ribbon Communications 195
6.82 Rohde & Schwarz 197
6.83 Samsung Electronics 198
6.84 Sandvine 200
6.85 Sansay 201
6.86 Sequans Communications 202
6.87 Sierra Wireless 203
6.88 SIGOS 204
6.89 Softil 205
6.90 Sony Mobile Communications 207
6.91 Spirent Communications 208
6.92 SPIRIT DSP 210
6.93 Spreadtrum Communications 211
6.94 Summit Tech 212
6.95 Syniverse Technologies 214
6.96 SysMech 215
6.97 Systemics Group 216
6.98 Telit Communications 217
6.99 TNS (Transaction Network Services) 218
6.100 Viavi Solutions 219
6.101 VMware 220
6.102 VoiceAge Corporation 221
6.103 Voipfuture 222
6.104 WIT Software 223
6.105 Xiaomi 224
6.106 ZTE 225
7 Chapter 7: Market Sizing & Forecasts 226
7.1 Global Outlook for VoLTE 226
7.2 VoLTE-Capable Devices 226
7.2.1 VoLTE-Capable Device Unit Shipments 226
7.2.2 VoLTE-Capable Device Unit Shipment Revenue 227
7.2.3 Segmentation by Form Factor 227
7.2.4 Handsets 228
7.2.4.1 Smartphones & Phablets 229
7.2.4.2 Feature Phones 230
7.2.5 Smartwatches & Wearables 231
7.2.6 Tablets, CPEs & Other Devices 232
7.2.7 IoT Modules 233
7.3 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 234
7.3.1 VoLTE Subscriptions 234
7.3.2 VoLTE Service Revenue 235
7.3.3 Segmentation by Application 235
7.3.4 Voice Telephony 236
7.3.5 Video & Supplementary Services 236
7.3.6 Voice Based IoT Applications 237
7.4 VoLTE Infrastructure 237
7.4.1 Segmentation by Submarket 238
7.4.2 CSCF Servers 238
7.4.3 SBCs 239
7.4.4 VoLTE Application Servers 239
7.4.5 Other IMS Elements (HSS, BGCF, MGCF & MRF) 240
7.4.6 VoLTE-Capable Policy Control Solutions 240
7.5 Segmentation by Region 241
7.5.1 VoLTE-Capable Devices 241
7.5.2 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 242
7.5.3 VoLTE Infrastructure 243
7.6 Asia Pacific 244
7.6.1 VoLTE-Capable Devices 244
7.6.2 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 245
7.6.3 VoLTE Infrastructure 246
7.7 Eastern Europe 247
7.7.1 VoLTE-Capable Devices 247
7.7.2 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 248
7.7.3 VoLTE Infrastructure 249
7.8 Latin & Central America 250
7.8.1 VoLTE-Capable Devices 250
7.8.2 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 251
7.8.3 VoLTE Infrastructure 252
7.9 Middle East & Africa 253
7.9.1 VoLTE-Capable Devices 253
7.9.2 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 254
7.9.3 VoLTE Infrastructure 255
7.10 North America 256
7.10.1 VoLTE-Capable Devices 256
7.10.2 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 257
7.10.3 VoLTE Infrastructure 258
7.11 Western Europe 259
7.11.1 VoLTE-Capable Devices 259
7.11.2 VoLTE Subscriptions & Service Revenue 260
7.11.3 VoLTE Infrastructure 261
8 Chapter 8: Conclusion, Key Trends & Strategic Recommendations 262
8.1 Why is the Market Poised to Grow? 262
8.2 Competitive Industry Landscape: Acquisitions, Alliances & Consolidation 262
8.3 Geographic Outlook: Which Countries Offer the Highest Growth Potential? 263
8.4 Monetization: Can VoLTE Drive Revenue Growth? 264
8.5 Enabling Voice Calls for Wearables & IoT Devices 264
8.5.1 Certification of VoLTE-Capable IoT Modules 265
8.5.2 VoLTE Integration in Consumer Oriented Wearables 265
8.6 Operator Branded OTT Services: Implications for VoLTE 266
8.7 Virtualization: Moving VoLTE to the Cloud 266
8.8 Growing Investments in VoLTE Service Assurance 267
8.9 Prospects of the EVS (Enhanced Voice Services) Codec 268
8.10 Convergence with Wi-Fi Calling 270
8.10.1 Moving Towards IMS-Based Wi-Fi Calling Services 270
8.10.2 Future Prospects 271
8.11 Opportunities for MVNOs 272
8.11.1 Enabling Service Differentiation 272
8.11.2 Growing MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) Investments in VoLTE Infrastructure 273
8.11.3 How Big is the VoLTE Service Revenue Opportunity for MVNOs? 274
8.12 WebRTC: Friend or Foe? 275
8.13 Status of RCS Adoption 275
8.14 Prospects of Roaming and Interconnected VoLTE Services 277
8.15 MCPTT over VoLTE: Enabling Critical Communications 277
8.16 Strategic Recommendations 278
8.16.1 VoLTE Solution Providers 278
8.16.2 Mobile Operators & MVNOs 279
List of Figures
Figure 1: The CSFB Mechanism for LTE 28
Figure 2: VoLTE via IMS 29
Figure 3: SRVCC Network Architecture 30
Figure 4: Video Telephony with VoLTE 31
Figure 5: ETSI NFV Architecture 46
Figure 6: VoLTE Industry Roadmap 91
Figure 7: VoLTE Value Chain 93
Figure 8: Global VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 224
Figure 9: Global VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 225
Figure 10: Global VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments by Form Factor: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 225
Figure 11: Global VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue by Form Factor: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 226
Figure 12: Global VoLTE-Capable Handset Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 226
Figure 13: Global VoLTE-Capable Handset Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 227
Figure 14: Global VoLTE-Capable Smartphone & Phablet Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 227
Figure 15: Global VoLTE-Capable Smartphone & Phablet Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 228
Figure 16: Global VoLTE-Capable Feature Phone Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 228
Figure 17: Global VoLTE-Capable Feature Phone Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 229
Figure 18: Global VoLTE-Capable Smartwatch & Wearable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 229
Figure 19: Global VoLTE-Capable Smartwatch & Wearable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 230
Figure 20: Global VoLTE-Capable Tablet, CPE & Other Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 230
Figure 21: Global VoLTE-Capable Tablet, CPE & Other Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 231
Figure 22: Global VoLTE-Capable IoT Module Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 231
Figure 23: Global VoLTE-Capable IoT Module Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 232
Figure 24: Global VoLTE Subscriptions: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 232
Figure 25: Global VoLTE Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 233
Figure 26: Global VoLTE Service Revenue by Application: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 233
Figure 27: Global VoLTE Based Voice Telephony Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 234
Figure 28: Global VoLTE Based Video & Supplementary Applications Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 234
Figure 29: Global VoLTE Based IoT Applications Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 235
Figure 30: Global VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 235
Figure 31: Global VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue by Submarket: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 236
Figure 32: Global CSCF Server Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 236
Figure 33: Global SBC Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 237
Figure 34: Global VoLTE Application Server Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 237
Figure 35: Global Other IMS Elements (HSS, BGCF, MGCF & MRF) Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 238
Figure 36: Global VoLTE-Capable Policy Control Solution Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 238
Figure 37: VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments by Region: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 239
Figure 38: VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue by Region: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 239
Figure 39: VoLTE Subscriptions by Region: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 240
Figure 40: VoLTE Service Revenue by Region: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 240
Figure 41: VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue by Region: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 241
Figure 42: Asia Pacific VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 242
Figure 43: Asia Pacific VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 242
Figure 44: Asia Pacific VoLTE Subscriptions: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 243
Figure 45: Asia Pacific VoLTE Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 243
Figure 46: Asia Pacific VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 244
Figure 47: Eastern Europe VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 245
Figure 48: Eastern Europe VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 245
Figure 49: Eastern Europe VoLTE Subscriptions: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 246
Figure 50: Eastern Europe VoLTE Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 246
Figure 51: Eastern Europe VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 247
Figure 52: Latin & Central America VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 248
Figure 53: Latin & Central America VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 248
Figure 54: Latin & Central America VoLTE Subscriptions: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 249
Figure 55: Latin & Central America VoLTE Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 249
Figure 56: Latin & Central America VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 250
Figure 57: Middle East & Africa VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 251
Figure 58: Middle East & Africa VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 251
Figure 59: Middle East & Africa VoLTE Subscriptions: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 252
Figure 60: Middle East & Africa VoLTE Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 252
Figure 61: Middle East & Africa VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 253
Figure 62: North America VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 254
Figure 63: North America VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 254
Figure 64: North America VoLTE Subscriptions: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 255
Figure 65: North America VoLTE Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 255
Figure 66: North America VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 256
Figure 67: Western Europe VoLTE-Capable Device Shipments: 2018 – 2030 (Millions of Units) 257
Figure 68: Western Europe VoLTE-Capable Device Shipment Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 257
Figure 69: Western Europe VoLTE Subscriptions: 2018 – 2030 (Millions) 258
Figure 70: Western Europe VoLTE Service Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 258
Figure 71: Western Europe VoLTE Infrastructure Revenue: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 259
Figure 72: Global Spending on VoLTE Service Assurance Solutions: 2018 – 2030 ($ Million) 265
Figure 73: Audio Bandwidth Comparison between EVS and Legacy Codecs 267
Figure 74: Wi-Fi Calling Scenarios 268
Figure 75: IMS-based Wi-Fi Calling Service Architecture 269
Figure 76: Managed IMS Core/IP Services for MVNOs 271
Figure 77: Global VoLTE Service Revenue over MVNO Networks: 2018 – 2030 ($ Billion) 272
Figure 78: RCS Business Model 274
*If Applicable.