Swedish telco Tele2 has launched voice over LTE (VoLTE) services globally for its IoT customers.

The international rollout should provide the technology required to operate voice calls in the 4G network globally.

As 2G and 3G are sunsetting across the globe, and everything connected to these old networks stops working, it is important to provide options for IoT users using traditional voice services. The rollout of VoLTE in Tele2’s Swedish network, as well as in selected networks across the globe, will enable Tele2 IoT customers to use the technology to cater to their voice call needs.

The use of VoLTE should enhance coverage across the globe by seamlessly leveraging efficient future-proof network technology. The launch of VoLTE is also a significant milestone in Tele2’s sustainability efforts, as it will let IoT users move to more energy efficient devices.

“Voice services play an important role in IoT deployments, particularly those having mission-critical applications,” said Cyril Deschanel, managing director of IoT at Tele2. “Enabling VoLTE for IoT customers marks a significant milestone in our ability to serve our customers’ needs. This launch reflects Tele2’s commitment to excellence and is in line with our vision to enable a society of unlimited possibilities.”

VoLTE is an alternative to the current 2G and 3G voice service, delivering better voice clarity, faster data speeds and extended battery life for IoT devices. With the full launch of VoLTE now complete, this means Tele2 IoT can globally support VoLTE on any SIM provided by Tele2.

Most operators are already in the process of shutting down 3G, with 2G closure not far behind. For Tele2 (www.tele2.com), in Sweden, 2G and 3G will be fully closed by December 2025, which means it is crucial devices are ready in good time. Mission-critical applications in healthcare, for example, are particularly dependent on a high-quality voice function.