By Mercy Imali
Safaricom has launched new calling features on its 4G network. Subscribers can now make video calls over 4G. The service, popularly known as Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Video over LTE (VOLTE) became available countrywide yesterday to consumers with a VoLTE-supporting 4G device and a 4G enabled SIM Card at no additional cost.
“We are proud to introduce the latest calling technologies across the country which will enable Kenyans make voice and video calls. Beyond crystal clear voice calls, VoLTE further empowers our customers to better connect with families, friends and at work with high-quality video calling at no extra cost,” said Sylvia Mulinge the Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom.
VoLTE also eliminates background noise, jitter and other distortions that are characteristic of older networks. It offers a richer calling experience and high definition calls due to the ability of 4G networks to support a higher data capacity that can carry up to three times more data per call compared to 3G networks and six times more compared to 2G.
The contribution of voice to Safaricom’s service revenue has shrunk from 60 per cent to 36 per cent. The launch of video and voice over LTE is part of the company’s bid to maximize on earnings since the bulk of its subscribers still use voice calls and SMS as their primary service.