UPSC Prelims 2019 Question:

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?

1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.
2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Explanation:

• 2G, 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and VoLTE (Voice over LTE) are the generation of cellular networks. 2G and 3G networks are circuit-switch based and LTE is Internet Protocol or IP-based communications protocol. VoLTE is based on Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) specification.
  
  
• Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 4G technology. It provides users with high data speeds than 3G. VoLTE is a technology update to the LTE protocol. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• LTE allows the transmission of only data and voice calls are routed to their older 2G or 3G networks. Hence, there is no access to 4G data services while on a call. So, LTE is data only technology. On a VoLTE network, voice calls are broken up into packets of information, sent over the full data pipeline, and then reconstructed at the receiver’s end. This enables 4G data accessibility even during the calls. VoLTE enables a variety of services to operate seamlessly on a single network rather than having to switch to different networks for voice or video calls. Hence VoLTE is both data and voice technology. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science and Technology | Information and Communication Technology