In the coming years, adoption of LTE technology will scale rapidly across the globe. Close to 230 operators have already launched LTE network services in 84 countries.
Extensive studies done by TechNavio indicate that operations and coverage of LTE Technology would grow and eventually make up more than 75 percent of all mobile network infrastructure.
The rapid growth of LTE infrastructure has also caused explosive demand for Voice over LTE services, or VoLTE for short. In fact, TechNavio analysts predict that the Global VoLTE Market will grow at a CAGR of 142.62 percent for the 2013-2018 period.
With the skyrocketing demand for data and constant requirement for voice features, the Telecom industry is aligning toward IMS-based VoLTE along with efficient data application as a preferred and common solution for customers. The circuit switched voice has a long way to go before becoming history, as the transition from legacy network to standalone packet-switched network will take many years.
Unlike earlier, when consumers had limited access, the need to support data consumption has become critical. Now, services consume much higher bandwidth; require greater speeds, and better coverage. Nevertheless, consumption of mobile voice features continue to climb-up revenue charts of global Telecom networks.
TechNavio analysts have identified eight key operators who are stipulated to be active stake-holders in The Global VoLTE Market:
Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Paris, France. It is a telecommunication company that provides products in IP and cloud networking. It also offers ultra-broadband fixed and wireless access. The company provides telecommunications equipment and focuses on fixed, mobile, and networking hardware, IP technologies, software, and services.
The company operates through three business segments: Access, Core Networking, and Others. Its Access Segment includes wireless such as legacy wireless, CDMA, GSM, W-CDMA, and RFS; and fixed access managed services and licensing.
As at December 2013, the company had 62,311 employees. It serves more than 500,000 customers.
AT&T
AT&T was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, US. AT&T is a mobile telecommunications company that focuses on providing wide products and services to its customers in the US and internationally. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Wireline, and Others.
The Wireless segment focuses on providing wireless voice and data communications services to its customer in the US and Internationally. Its Wireline segment focuses on primarily landline voice and data communication services to its customers in the US and internationally.
Through the others segment, the company focuses on outsourcing, integration services and customer premises equipment, and government-related services. As of January 2014, the company employed around 243,000 people worldwide.
KT
KT was established in 1981 and is headquartered at Seongnam, South Korea. It is a provider of integrated wired and wireless telecommunication services. The company focuses on communication and information businesses, and operates mainly in the high-speed internet and local telephone market.
The company offers various services such as mobile telecommunications services, broadband Internet access services, telephone services, automobile rental services, credit card processing, financial services, leased line services, satellite TV services, real estate business, and cloud computing services.
The company operates mainly in South Korea and is the largest internet service provider in the country with a market share of 43.1 percent; it has 32,451 employees.
LG Uplus
LG Uplus was established in 1996 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It is a mobile telecommunications service provider that sells wired and wireless communication devices in South Korea. It specializes in wireless telecommunication services.
In personal services, the company offers services such as broadband internet, mobile phones, international telephone, IPTV, cloud services, and media distribution services. Under business solutions, the company offers services such as leased lines SMS, MMS, Survey Plans, and URLPlus services.
Under global Roaming Phone Rental Services, the company offers services such as mobile phone rental services, rental charge calculator, online reservations, and roaming centre location. The company operates only in South Korea with 6,780 employees.
SK Telecom
SK Telecom was established in 1984 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It is primarily engaged in providing wireless telecommunication services in South Korea. It also provides multimedia services, financial services, digital home services, instant messaging services, and wired and wireless integrated multi-internet services.
The company operates through its subsidiaries: SK Hynix, SK Planet, SK Telink, and SK Broadband. The Broadband Internet and Fixed Mobile Convergence Service segment provides home network, broadband, and bundled services. All three are integrated and known as voice messaging data integrated services.
The company operates in more than 170 countries with its 4,203 employees.
Ericsson
Established in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. It is a worldwide provider of communication technology and services. The company provides services such as mobile and fixed broadband, networking equipment, mobile infrastructure, and cable TV.
The company operates in three business segments:
- Networks: In this segment the company provides network infrastructure services for fixed and mobile communication for the 2G, 3G, and 4G radio networks
- Global Services: Under this segment the company provides product related services, consulting and system related services, and broadcast services
- Support Solutions: In this segment the company provides software for operations and business support systems
The company operates in more than 180 countries worldwide and has 115,382 employees.
Huawei Investment & Holding
Huawei Investment & Holding was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in China. The company is a global provider of ICT solutions and services to telecom carriers, enterprises, and consumers. It has a wide geographical presence in more than 170 countries and regions worldwide.
The company operates in three segments: Carrier Network Business, Enterprise Business, and Consumer Business.
Huawei Investment & Holding gives high importance to R&D. The company has 21 R&D centers throughout the world in countries such as Germany, Sweden, the US, India, Russia, Japan, Canada, Turkey, and China.
As at December 31, 2013, the company employed 140,000 people.
Nokia Solutions and Networks
Nokia Solutions and Networks, was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. It is a data networking and telecommunications equipment company. It caters to the Mobile Broadband market and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nokia.
The company operates through three business segments: Global Services, Mobile Broadband, and Others. The Global Services segment provides a wide range of services to mobile operators, including network planning, optimization, network implementation, system integration, and care services. It also provides managed services for network and service operations. As at December 2013, the company had 48,628 employees.
