Ericsson  is adding Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Rich Communication Service (RCS) verification services to the scope of operations at its Experience Lab in Taiwan – previously known as the Interoperability Test (IOT) Center – from October 2013.

 

As the first facility in the Asia-Pacific region to provide such services commercially, the lab will support operators, device/chipset makers, application developers and others in bringing more advanced communications experiences to consumers by accelerating the R&D, testing and verification, and commercialization of mobile broadband applications and products.

 

Jan Signell, Head of Region North East Asia and a member of Ericsson’s Global Leadership Team, says: “By September this year, 213 commercial LTE networks had been launched in 81 countries, which is a significant indicator that VoLTE and LTE video applications have substantial potential for growth. Ericsson’s Taiwan lab has added VoLTE and RCS interoperability tests to its current service lineup to help partners in the Asia-Pacific region to reduce testing time and expenditure. These new testing capabilities will accelerate the development of LTE devices and services, contributing to enhanced global communications and further realizing Ericsson’s vision of the Networked Society.”

 

As an increasing number of LTE networks are deployed around the world, telecom operators are evolving their commercial strategy by exploring new and innovative services. By migrating voice services from traditional networks to VoLTE, operators are seeking to provide higher-quality voice services and enhanced user experiences, thereby boosting customer loyalty. In 2012, Ericsson supported operators in South Korea and the USA in launching the world’s first commercial VoLTE services.

 

The combination of VoLTE and RCS results in a richer user experience for consumers. For example, RCS allows for simultaneous actions, such as sharing pictures, videos and files alongside HD voice calls, resulting in a seamless multimedia experience.

 

Ericsson’s Taiwan lab has served partners in Taiwan, the United States, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea and more, since its founding in 2005. It is one of six global Ericsson Experience Labs; the others are located in the United States, Canada, Germany, India and Sweden. Alongside the new VoLTE and RCS verification services, the Taiwan lab also tests 2G (GSM), 3G (WCDMA) and 4G (LTE FDD/TDD) technologies for voice, data and other related services.