Launch of the next-generation voice call service, au VoLTE

News Releases

Print this Page

―au is the first domestic telecommunications carrier providing all voice calls and data communication on the 4G LTE network―

No.2014-189

  • KDDI CORPORATION
  • Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company

October 27,2014

From early December 2014, KDDI and Okinawa Cellular will launch the next-generation voice calling service, au VoLTE, which utilizes the 4G LTE network.

With au VoLTE, users can use a next-generation voice call service featuring high quality and speedy incoming and outgoing calling that utilizes VoLTE [1]. They can also perform data communication, such as browsing the Web and sending and receiving e-mail, during voice calls. Furthermore, this service utilizes VoLTE to provide Sync Call [2], a new communication service that allows callers to share their smartphone screens, location information, camera images, and more with a recipient during a call, and Voice Party [3], which allows simultaneous group calls with up to 30 people.

The au VoLTE rate plan will be available with the same charges as the Unlimited Voice & Data Freedom and LTE Plan for 4G LTE smartphones.
Supported models for this service are the isai VL LGV31 and URBANO V01 Winter 2014 models, and new models will gradually added.

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular are constructing a high speed and reliable data communication network using LTE areas, with their population coverage of 99% (Platinum Band 800MHz) [4], as a base and adding features such as being the first domestic telecommunications carrier to introduce Carrier Aggregation [5] technology with LTE-Advanced, the LTE next generation high speed communication standard. With the introduction of au VoLTE, we are the first domestic telecommunications carrier [6] to provide all voice calling and data communication utilizing only the 4G LTE network, thus achieving a higher quality and more reliable communication service. [7]

  • [1]
    VoLTE is the abbreviation for Voice over LTE, and it is technology that achieves voice calling over the LTE high speed data communication network.
  • [2]
    Sync functions for Sync Call are scheduled to be provided from February 2015 (isai VL LGV31 and URBANO V01 will be supported via an update).
  • [3]
    Requires subscription to the Voice Party option (¥300/month excluding tax) or Basic Phone Pack (V) (¥400/month excluding tax). The initial caller is separately charged a calling fee based on the number of people they call.
  • [4]
    Population coverage rate is calculated using areas where communication is available in over 50% of locations in approx. 500m sections used for the national census.
  • [5]
    Carrier Aggregation is only available in some areas.
  • [6]
    As of October 27, 2014. Researched by KDDI.
  • [7]
    Data communication during calls (including Sync Call) on VoLTE use 4G LTE or Wi-Fi.
    Also, 4G LTE communication speed may decrease.
    When using data communication only, the use of the WiMAX2+ network is available. (Limited to supported models.)

For more details, see the Attachment.
Attachment：Launch of the next-generation voice call service, au VoLTE

  • The information contained in the news releases is current at the time of publication. Products, service fees,service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.