MetroPCS said earlier this year that it'd be launching Voice over LTE service and a compatible handset in the second half of 2012, and today the carrier has done just that. MetroPCS has announced that it's now offering a VoLTE-capable LG Connect 4G at "select" retail locations, with the first VoLTE handset sale taking place at a Dallas/Fort Worth store. Metro says that it's the first carrier in the world to offer VoLTE service and a device to work with it. That doesn't mean that MetroPCS will be stopping to celebrate, though, as it plans to roll out more VoLTE services and phones "in the coming weeks." MetroPCS also notes that its 4G LTE network now covers around 90 percent of its CDMA footprint.
The arrival of VoLTE is exciting for MetroPCS, as it'll allow the carrier to more efficiently use its spectrum and improve its LTE offering by relying less on its CDMA network. Of course, Metro isn't the only carrier planning to utilize VoLTE, as operators such as AT&T and Verizon have also committed to rolling out VoLTE-enabled products. Only MeroPCS is offering the capability now, though, so anyone interested in being the first on their block with a VoLTE handset ought to give their local MetroPCS store a call to see if they're carrying the VoLTE-ready LG Connect 4G.
Via Phone Scoop
MetroPCS Launches World's First Commercially Available Voice Over LTE Service and VoLTE-Capable 4G LTE Smartphone
DALLAS, Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) today reached another innovation milestone by announcing the world's first commercial launch of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services, availability of the world's first VoLTE-capable handsets and the first sale of a VoLTE-capable handset at one of the company's Dallas/Fort Worth store locations. MetroPCS is selling the new VoLTE-capable LG Connect 4G Android™ smartphone at select U.S. stores and will continue to roll out VoLTE services and phones in the coming weeks.
"Being the first operator globally to reach this industry first speaks volumes about our company's innovative spirit and passion to achieve goals that we believe will have long-term benefit for our customers and for the company," said Roger Linquist, chairman and chief executive officer of MetroPCS. "The initial move to LTE and this move to VoLTE allow us to achieve significant spectral efficiencies and will increase network capacity so that we can enhance the 4G LTE experience that our customers have today at a tremendous value. VoLTE also provides a foundational capability for future Rich Communication Services (RCS), which we plan to launch later this year."
The addition of VoLTE capabilities to MetroPCS' 4G LTE handsets will be transparent to consumers as they continue to enjoy all the voice and 4G LTE data services with which they are already familiar. Calls to and from the handset will use VoLTE, regardless of the handset or network used on the other end of the call.
MetroPCS was the first U.S. carrier to deploy a commercial 4G LTE network in September 2010 and has since built out its 4G LTE network to cover roughly 90 percent of its CDMA footprint.
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About MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
Dallas-based MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) is a provider of no annual contract, unlimited wireless communications service for a flat rate. MetroPCS is the fifth largest facilities-based wireless carrier in the United States based on number of subscribers served. With Metro USA(SM), MetroPCS customers can use their service in areas throughout the United States covering a population of over 280 million people. As of June 30, 2012, MetroPCS had approximately 9.3 million subscribers. For more information please visit www.metropcs.com.
