World’s first voice handover between LTE and WCDMA accomplished

• Breaks ground in voice over LTE technology
• Successful handover of a voice call from LTE to WCDMA on an end-to-end network achieved on December 23, 2011
• Handover uses 3GPP-standardized Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC)

Up until this point, the main use of LTE has been for mobile data traffic, however operators are starting to evolve their networks to support voice and SMS over LTE (based on VoLTE GSMA IR.92), and prepare for introduction of new globally interoperable multimedia services on LTE smartphones.

One particular challenge to operators is to ensure that users do not experience interruptions of ongoing voice calls when they move out of LTE coverage.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) together with Qualcomm Incorporated, successfully performed a voice handover based on the 3GPP-standardized functionality Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) demonstrating users will experience seamless voice services when they move out of LTE coverage, since the call will automatically be handed over to WCDMA or GSM access during the call.

Handover of a voice call from LTE to WCDMA was successfully established on December 23 last year using Ericsson end-to-end network infrastructure and an LTE/3G multimode smartphone chipset from Qualcomm.

Johan Wibergh, Head of Business Unit Networks, Ericsson, says: “By accomplishing this advanced LTE handover technology together with Qualcomm, we now ensure that operators can meet consumers’ expectations on a high-quality voice over LTE service. Operators will be able to maintain their quality brand for their voice business when they launch voice over LTE.”

SRVCC enables operators to deploy voice over LTE, seamlessly handing over to existing GSM and WCDMA installed base as needed, to provide a robust voice service with global reach to their LTE smartphone users.

The handover mechanism is supported on Ericsson’s end-to-end products and solutions; LTE/WCDMA/GSM RAN, Evolved Packet Core, MSC and IMS to work towards VoLTE enabled LTE smartphones.

The first operators are expected to begin deploying SRVCC during 2012, followed by more global commercial launches in 2013.

Notes to editors:

LTE media kit

White paper: Voice over LTE

Our multimedia content is available at the broadcast room: www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room

Ericsson is the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. Ericsson is the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies, and provides support for networks with over 2 billion subscribers and has the leading position in managed services. The company’s portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, software, broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and the media industry. The Sony Ericsson and ST-Ericsson joint ventures provide consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of being the “prime driver in an all-communicating world” through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 90,000 employees generated revenue of SEK 203.3 billion (USD 28.2 billion) in 2010. Founded in 1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ New York.

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