Operators will be able to bring the same policy control features to LTE networks as they have for 3G, such as prioritising emergency calls and differentiated IP voice services, thanks to a new product launch.
At this week’s Policy Control conference in Berlin, Amdocs unveiled its VoLTE controller – a virtualised policy control and charging rule function (PCRF). Voice roaming with quality of service assurance and customer specific services are among the additional features the solution promises to provide.
Operators can deploy the product either virtually or as hardware, and alongside existing PCRF solutions. Set up and installation takes at least two months, according to the vendor.
Graham Finnie, Chief Analyst at Heavy Reading, said more than 70 percent of operators believe their existing policy control systems will require additional features or upgrades to meet the “stringent” requirements for VoLTE.
He commented: “Specialised policy solutions that can co-exist with legacy PCRFs will allow operators to leverage existing investments, and could give them a time to market advantage for VoLTE service introduction.”
Rebecca Prudhoome, Vice President of Product and Solutions Marketing at Amdocs, added: “Landline services have set the bar for voice and service providers are challenged to meet and exceed those expectations with VoLTE. This solution extends policy control for VoLTE with its extensive support for emergency call services, voice roaming and other critical voice service attributes; having a specialised PCRF solution, designed with the rigors of VoLTE in mind, is vital for operators seeking to differentiate next-generation voice services over LTE.”