Voice call continuity
Encyclopedia
The 3GPP
has defined the Voice Call Continuity (VCC) specifications in order to describe how a voice call can be persisted, as a mobile phone moves between circuit switched and packet switched radio domains (3GPP TS 23.206).
Many mobile phones are becoming available today that support both cellular and other broadband radio technologies. For example, the Nokia
N Series and E Series devices support both GSM and WiFi
. Similar devices from Sony Ericsson
, BlackBerry
, Samsung
, HTC
, Motorola
and even the Apple iPhone provide comparable dual mode technology. WiMAX
support is also being added and further handsets are emerging from Kyocera
and other vendors, which provide dual mode technology in CDMA phones. A wide range of Internet applications can then be accessed from mobile devices using wireless broadband technologies like WiFi and WiMAX. For example, VoIP traffic can be carried over these alternative radio interfaces.
Whereas VoIP calls from mobile devices are controlled by IP infrastructure, according to the VCC specifications, calls to and from a cellular phone in the circuit switched domain are also anchored in an IP domain, for example the IP Multimedia Subsystem
(IMS). As the handset becomes attached and detached from wireless access points such as WiFi hotspots, a client application in the device provides notifications of the radio conditions to a VCC platform in the network. This allows circuit switched and IP call legs to be originated and terminated such that the speech path is transferred between domains, transparently to the end user.
This technology is of interest to users as an example of the benefits that are achievable through Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). Since most WiFi and WiMAX access points will use fixed backhaul technologies, seamlessly moving between for example WiFi and GSM domains allows the best quality and most cost efficient radio to be used at any given point in time, irrespective of the transport technology used for the media. Similarly, service providers are interested in VCC in order to offer FMC products towards specific market segments, such as enterprise users. Cellular operators in particular can offer bundled services that consist of for example, a broadband connection with a WiFi router and a set of dual mode devices. This supports a Fixed Mobile Substitution
(FMS) business case where calls from the office can be carried as VoIP over WiFi and a broadband connection, while VCC technology allows these calls to be seamlessly handed over to cellular networks as the device moves to areas of poor WiFi coverage.
One limitation of VCC however, relates to the focus on voice service. In order to preserve the cellular telephony experience while users are WiFi attached, other features need to be replicated in the packet switched domain. For example, the 3GPP has defined SMS over IP specifications (3GPP TS 23.204) in order to describe how messaging functionality can be provided to end users that are present within IP based access networks. However, over several years a range of other business logic, such as GSM Supplementary Services within the Home Location Register (HLR) has been embedded within cellular networks. This functionality must also be realised within the IP domain in order to provide full service continuity between multiple access networks.
standards, VCC was replaced by a wider concept that covers all services provided by IMS
. This work resulted in the specification of IMS Service Continuity and IMS Centralized Services (ICS), which are meant to be used in particular to provide the continuity of voice calls between LTE
and legacy 2G/3G networks.
3GPP
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project is a collaboration between groups of telecommunications associations, known as the Organizational Partners...
has defined the Voice Call Continuity (VCC) specifications in order to describe how a voice call can be persisted, as a mobile phone moves between circuit switched and packet switched radio domains (3GPP TS 23.206).
Many mobile phones are becoming available today that support both cellular and other broadband radio technologies. For example, the Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
N Series and E Series devices support both GSM and WiFi
WIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
. Similar devices from Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB is a joint venture established on October 1, 2001 by the Japanese consumer electronics company Sony Corporation and the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson to manufacture mobile phones....
, BlackBerry
BlackBerry
BlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion since 1999.BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more...
, Samsung
Samsung
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
, HTC
HTC
-Companies:*HTC Corporation, a Taiwanese manufacturer of handheld devices*Harrisonville Telephone Company, a telephone company in Waterloo, Illinois*Horry Telephone Cooperative, a telephone cooperative in Horry County, South Carolina...
, Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
and even the Apple iPhone provide comparable dual mode technology. WiMAX
WiMAX
WiMAX is a communication technology for wirelessly delivering high-speed Internet service to large geographical areas. The 2005 WiMAX revision provided bit rates up to 40 Mbit/s with the 2011 update up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations...
support is also being added and further handsets are emerging from Kyocera
Kyocera
is a multinational manufacturer based in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded as in 1959 by Kazuo Inamori and renamed in 1982. The company has diversified its founding technology in ceramic materials through internal development as well as strategic mergers and acquisitions...
and other vendors, which provide dual mode technology in CDMA phones. A wide range of Internet applications can then be accessed from mobile devices using wireless broadband technologies like WiFi and WiMAX. For example, VoIP traffic can be carried over these alternative radio interfaces.
Whereas VoIP calls from mobile devices are controlled by IP infrastructure, according to the VCC specifications, calls to and from a cellular phone in the circuit switched domain are also anchored in an IP domain, for example the IP Multimedia Subsystem
IP Multimedia Subsystem
The IP Multimedia Subsystem or IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem is an architectural framework for delivering Internet Protocol multimedia services. It was originally designed by the wireless standards body 3rd Generation Partnership Project , as a part of the vision for evolving mobile...
(IMS). As the handset becomes attached and detached from wireless access points such as WiFi hotspots, a client application in the device provides notifications of the radio conditions to a VCC platform in the network. This allows circuit switched and IP call legs to be originated and terminated such that the speech path is transferred between domains, transparently to the end user.
This technology is of interest to users as an example of the benefits that are achievable through Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). Since most WiFi and WiMAX access points will use fixed backhaul technologies, seamlessly moving between for example WiFi and GSM domains allows the best quality and most cost efficient radio to be used at any given point in time, irrespective of the transport technology used for the media. Similarly, service providers are interested in VCC in order to offer FMC products towards specific market segments, such as enterprise users. Cellular operators in particular can offer bundled services that consist of for example, a broadband connection with a WiFi router and a set of dual mode devices. This supports a Fixed Mobile Substitution
Fixed Mobile Substitution
Fixed Mobile Substitution, usually abbreviated to FMS, is the use of a mobile phone instead of a fixed, wired, POTS telephone....
(FMS) business case where calls from the office can be carried as VoIP over WiFi and a broadband connection, while VCC technology allows these calls to be seamlessly handed over to cellular networks as the device moves to areas of poor WiFi coverage.
One limitation of VCC however, relates to the focus on voice service. In order to preserve the cellular telephony experience while users are WiFi attached, other features need to be replicated in the packet switched domain. For example, the 3GPP has defined SMS over IP specifications (3GPP TS 23.204) in order to describe how messaging functionality can be provided to end users that are present within IP based access networks. However, over several years a range of other business logic, such as GSM Supplementary Services within the Home Location Register (HLR) has been embedded within cellular networks. This functionality must also be realised within the IP domain in order to provide full service continuity between multiple access networks.
Evolution
In the context of the Release 8 of 3GPP3GPP
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project is a collaboration between groups of telecommunications associations, known as the Organizational Partners...
standards, VCC was replaced by a wider concept that covers all services provided by IMS
IP Multimedia Subsystem
The IP Multimedia Subsystem or IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem is an architectural framework for delivering Internet Protocol multimedia services. It was originally designed by the wireless standards body 3rd Generation Partnership Project , as a part of the vision for evolving mobile...
. This work resulted in the specification of IMS Service Continuity and IMS Centralized Services (ICS), which are meant to be used in particular to provide the continuity of voice calls between LTE
3GPP Long Term Evolution
3GPP Long Term Evolution, usually referred to as LTE, is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals. It is based on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies, increasing the capacity and speed using new modulation techniques...
and legacy 2G/3G networks.