If adopted by the 3GPP, One Voice would utilize the IMS (Internet Multimedia Subsystem) network overlay to send voice calls and SMS over LTE networks, with the companies involved in its development believing the proposed solution will allow for the widest range of compatibility for wireless network operators, equipment manufacturers and handset manufacturers while ensuring worldwide roaming over LTE networks.

One Voice is currently competing with other proposed voice over LTE delivery standards such as the aforementioned VoLGA and the 3GPP’s own Circuit Switched Fallback standard (CSFB). The CSFB standard as proposed by the 3GPP would allow LTE devices to revert to GSM or UMTS for incoming/outgoing voice calls as well as SMS.

The LTE network will now function as an overlay to the existing native CDMA network, right down to the use of many existing cellsites and backhaul equipment. In a related statement, Melone reiterated that there will not be a forced migration to LTE while confirming that the CDMA network will continue in full operation, with new devices needed for LTE network use.

Melone also attempted to stamp rumors that the network rollout was falling behind schedule while reiterating its commitment to launch in 2010 in 25 to 30 markets. The carrier is seeking to cover 100 million points of presence in 2010 with further deployment of the network over the next 2-3 years.

Bloomberg is citing unamed sources that state Sprint, MetroPCS and T-Mobile USA are also involved in the discussions, with Deutsche Telekom looking for the least expensive path to 4G network deployment in the US, with the venerable Sprint-Deutsche Telekom tie up rumor making the rounds once again in recent weeks.

Clearwire is currently deploying Clear WiMax service in the US while Deutsche Telekom has committed to LTE in Europe. Metro PCS and Clear hold spectrum in the 700MHz and 2.5GHz bands which are licensed for LTE and WiMax deployment respectively, although Clear has maintained that it could easily switch between standards if necessary.

T-Mobile USA has yet to complete its 3G rollout which began last year, let alone choose a 4G standard with Clear needing an additional $2 billion in funding by year-end to complete its initial network rollout and to meet its launch targets, with speculation stating that Deutsche Telekom is willing to provide additional funding in exchange for access to its WiMax network.

The standard also includes a provision for enabling SMS and MMS over LTE with Alcatel-Lucent, Deutsche Telekom, Ditech Networks, GENBAND, HTC, Huawei, Kineto Wireless, LG Electronics, Mavenir, Motorola, Nortel, Samsung, Sonus, Starent Networks, Tecore Networks, Ulticom, WiChorus and ZTE being a part of the commitee that oversaw the completion of the standard.

Speeds achieved during the test were not revealed with speeds expected to range between 7-12 Mbps down and 3-5 Mbps up, making it comparable to current WiMax deployments. Verizon is deploying LTE service based on the recently frozen and nearly ratified 3GPP Release 8 standard.

Verizon is relying on Alcatel-Lucent in Boston, Ericsson in Seattle, Starent Networks and Nokia Siemens Networks for network equipment with prototype devices from LG and Samsung used for the trial. Devices from LG and Samsung will be supplemented by devices from ST-Ericsson, Motorola and Qualcomm while Boston and Seattle each now have 10 active LTE cellsites.

Verizon CTO Tony Melone also went into further detail regarding the trials, stating that the carrier is positioned to follow through on previous statements of launching 30 markets commercially in 2010 while continuing EVDO deployments well into the launch of LTE service.

As far as the types of devices being offered, Melone has emphasized data cards for launch due to the lack of standardization on a voice protocol along with the issue of 911 call handling as LTE is a flat IP based network standard with no circuit switched component for voice call routing and handling.

In related news, the carrier also reiterated its plans to launch its version of the Palm Pre early next year, despite the PR war of words in previous months regarding Sprint’s exclusivity.

Since LTE is a flat all-IP-based standard with no legacy support for SMS control channels or circuit switched voice calling, carriers are struggling to decide how to address the problem, but VoLGA is said to benefit from support from all of the major network hardware vendors save for Nokia-Siemens Networks who are developing their own LTE voice protocol.

Another issue left to address is the myriad of stopgaps, which carriers are already struggling with, if LTE is ratified without an integrated voice protocol.

• IP Multimedia Subsystem which is approved by the 3GPP is considered immature for use with LTE.
• Circuit-Switch fallback where second or third generation networks are used for LTE voice services, making devices more expensive due to the additional hardware needed.
• Circuit-Switch-Over-Packet where voice or SMS traffic is tunneled over LTE service, which would also require maintenance of older less efficient network equipment.

For its part, the VoLGA Forum hopes to have the third stage of the specifications completed before the end of the year so that the standard can be submitted to the 3GPP for a work item in Release 10 of the standard body’s specifications, which hinges on enough carrier and network equipment manufacturer support beforehand in order to make the formal submission.

The current agreements signed deal exclusively with the LTE standard, but the telecommunications platform developer and solution provider has also stated plans for current GSM and W-CDMA licensing agreements with other companies to be renegotiated to include LTE technolgy and patent licensing arrangements to boost increasing licensing revenue and continue its investment in LTE research and development.

The upgrade will begin by doubling the amount of 850MHz spectrum now dedicated to its 3G network in most major cities, deploying 2,100 more cell sites across the country, deploying fiber backbone to many of its current cell sites to improve bandwidth and ease ccongestion, and the addition of microcells/femotcells for better indoor coverage.

AT&T will also add 20 more major cities and surrounding suburbs to the 350 cities it already covers with 3G service, while qualifying smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans now feature access to its 20,000 Wi-Fi hot spots around the U.S., with dynamic switching from 3G to Wi-Fi supported on certain devices.

More devices supporting the new network improvements will be launched later this year and next year.

AT&T has also confirmed its timeline for LTE, with trials now beginning next year instead of 2011 leading up to commercial deployment in the same year, which is three years earlier than previously stated.