This innovative digital service was unveiled at a programme at a city hotel on Wednesday, said a press release.
Initially, Robi and Airtel customers in Dhaka and Chattogram division will be able to avail the service. At the time of launching, more than 5,000 sites in these two divisions have been activated with VoLTE service.
It will be expanded to the rest of the country gradually.
VoLTE is an IP-based voice call technology; designed to ensure HD quality voice calls and treats voice as just another application that rides on the LTE data network.
This advanced technology will allow customers to have their calls set up within only 3-4 seconds, which is 40-50% faster than traditional 2G or 3G voice calls.
According to a GSMA study (The global trade body of all mobile operators), customers get 40% more battery life using VoLTE compared to calls made through OTTs (Over the Top), like, whatsapp, viber, imo, etc.
There will be no additional charges for using VoLTE services.
In order to have end to end service experience, the person making a call and the person receiving the call need to have VoLTE supported and enabled 4G handsets and VoLTE activated 4G SIM card in their handset and be present in the VoLTE coverage areas.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was present at the launching event as the chief guest while Posts and Telecommunications Minister, Mustafa Jabbar, was present on the occasion as the special guest.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary, Md Nur-Ur-Rahman and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Chairman, Md Jahurul Haque were present at the launching programme.
Home Minister said, “I sincerely thank Robi for launching VoLTE in Bangladesh. It’d be excellent to see the quality of service in the telecom sector improve due to VoLTE.”
Posts and Telecommunications Minister said, “Robi was the only operator that came forward when we conducted the trial run for 5G. Similarly, when it came to VoLTE, we find Robi coming forward to deliver the innovative voice service, VoLTE.”
“Since Robi took Bangladesh to the VoLTE era, I would hope other operators will also do the same soon,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Robi’s Managing Director and CEO, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said “We’re very proud to be the first operator to launch the VoLTE service in the country.”
With the launch of VoLTE, Robi has become the only operator to offer voice service over 2G, 3.5G and 4.5G network.
Robi’s Chief Commercial Officer, Shihab Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.
Interested Robi or Airtel customers can enjoy the VoLTE service by dialing *86583#.
Officials from Robi and Airtel will later on reach out to the interested users to guide them into enjoying the service if they are eligible.
Robi and Airtel customers may also call its customer care number: 121 to learn more about the process. Customers can also visit selected Robi and Airtel walk-in-centres to experience the service and learn further details.
Earlier, on the 16th of January last year, Robi conducted the first ever successful trial of VoLTE technology on its 4.5G network. With the launch of VoLTE, Robi has clearly stamped its authority as the leading innovator in the rapidly evolving telco industry.