Vodafone in Oman and Ericsson have completed a successful test call that will open the door for the commercial launch of 5G standalone voice and data services for Vodafone subscribers in the Sultanate.
The successful Voice over New Radio (VoNR) proof of concept call conducted by Vodafone Oman over a stand-alone 5G network is a component of an ongoing project between Vodafone and Ericsson to build a highly effective and dependable nationwide standalone network that supports seamless, high-quality voice and data services.
The proof of concept demonstrated the potential of the mobile network to improve speech quality throughout the country using Ericsson dual-mode 5G Core and Ericsson IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technologies. Using an experimental terminal that will eventually be replaced by commercial terminals built by Vodafone’s partners, it also showed how Vodafone’s network may enable 5G-specific voice and communication services for both consumers and businesses.
In contrast to non-standalone 5G networks, standalone 5G networks link 5G radios with a cloud-native 5G core network, enabling flexibility and speed to satisfy present and future customer demands.
According to Stelios Savvides, Vodafone’s Technology Director in Oman, this successful VoNR proof of concept call is an important step in our mission to improve our 5G capabilities and provide better user experiences, as they continue to push the boundaries as an innovation leader in Oman. As Vodafone joins an extremely select group of operators worldwide to develop a standalone 5G network, high-quality and seamless voice calling will soon become a necessity for residents throughout Oman.
These breakthroughs are significant milestones on the path to the future because they give them the ability to support the data requirements that can enable a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, from real-time virtual reality and augmented reality to driverless cars and the most recent developments in healthcare, all while enhancing quality of life.
“Our collaboration with Ericsson is another move towards providing our customers with advanced 5G voice and data services. We look forward to developing this proof of concept further and exploring a range of immersive applications that 5G standalone data and VoNR capabilities will enable for customers and digital enterprises across the country.” said Savvides.
Meanwhile, according to Abdullah Al Balushi, Country Manager of Ericsson Oman, Oman is starting a new period of growth with Vision 2040. Cellular technology is expected to have a significant impact on this journey, and by utilizing their cutting-edge communication capabilities, they want to assist Oman in achieving the advanced digital economy that is expected by Vision 2040. In order to encourage digitalization and innovation throughout the Sultanate of Oman, they are still dedicated to forging collaborations and delivering their top-class 5G capabilities.
“We are confident this latest VoNR achievement will open doors to new business models and use cases and help Vodafone Oman deliver high-quality voice services and immersive experiences across the country.”
Since the company’s establishment in Oman, Vodafone and Ericsson have worked together to bring cutting-edge cellular services to consumers and businesses, advancing the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in the country.
In addition to improving Vodafone’s Radio Access Network (RAN) and transport capabilities, the two companies are collaborating closely to build a cutting-edge 5G standalone network, develop a cloud-native 5G infrastructure, and create a microservices architecture.
