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"However, because international VoLTE calls – even when they work – are all data-based, and tunnel through the global mobile system, there is no inbound revenue

"However, because international VoLTE calls – even when they work – are all data-based, and tunnel through the global mobile system, there is no inbound revenue for calls. Operators “miss a lot of the revenue”" This is also wrong. VoLTE is just the protocol stack used to replace traditional circuit switched voice which used to run over dedicated GSM channels, in parallel to data. With appropriate QoS assurances, the idea is for it all to go over the data channels. Its replacement is purely over the mobile segment of a traditional PSTN call. It still integrates with the PSTN, SS7 signalling etc., and as before, termination fees can still be charged. This doesn't have to affect carrier revenue.

graderjs 4y ago
You sound like you know a lot about the technical aspects are you really qualified to know about the business ones? I'm just really curious to get the good answer and information on this and I'm sorry if the tone sounds off I know nothing about any of this... but I thought this source was a really good source because it was recommended to me by a really high quality international mobile operator. So I'm inclined to trust its assessment that economic losses are maybe one of the reasons for low quality voice calls using that stack. Maybe you can share more context?
- Sporktacular 4y ago
  I'm not an expert on the business side of things. If VoLTE can be, and is, used to establish and terminate calls in the PSTN domestically it means it continues the call termination business model. So there's no technical reason that it can't also be the case for international calls, or calls while roaming. There may be other economic reasons, maybe the international market changed and carriers abroad who implemented VoLTE agreed not to charge each other for this, and AT&T didn't want to be part of that. I'm not sure. But just as Skypeout uses VoIP but still bills you for a call and settles after with the terminating network, VoLTE itself presents no technical limitation. I hope that helps.

graderjs 4y ago

You sound like you know a lot about the technical aspects are you really qualified to know about the business ones? I'm just really curious to get the good answer and information on this and I'm sorry if the tone sounds off I know nothing about any of this... but I thought this source was a really good source because it was recommended to me by a really high quality international mobile operator. So I'm inclined to trust its assessment that economic losses are maybe one of the reasons for low quality voice calls using that stack. Maybe you can share more context?

Sporktacular 4y ago
I'm not an expert on the business side of things. If VoLTE can be, and is, used to establish and terminate calls in the PSTN domestically it means it continues the call termination business model. So there's no technical reason that it can't also be the case for international calls, or calls while roaming. There may be other economic reasons, maybe the international market changed and carriers abroad who implemented VoLTE agreed not to charge each other for this, and AT&T didn't want to be part of that. I'm not sure. But just as Skypeout uses VoIP but still bills you for a call and settles after with the terminating network, VoLTE itself presents no technical limitation. I hope that helps.