Vodacom South Africa has achieved a significant milestone by completing the country’s first native voice call on its 5G network, also referred to as Voice over New Radio (VoNR). This call was conducted on Vodacom’s test network, paving the way for future offerings on their operational network.
The VoNR call utilised Vodacom’s Single Packet Core, which typically presents challenges as it necessitates cloud orchestration, cloud-native applications, and various network upgrades. Vodacom previously made history in 2014 by launching native Voice over LTE (VoLTE) in South Africa, which allowed users to transition from the traditional circuit-switched fallback used in 2G and 3 G networks.
The introduction of VoLTE enhanced call setup speed and overall call quality. With 5G-native VoNR, Vodacom anticipates even quicker call setup times, superior audio quality featuring ultra-high-definition sound, and minimised background noise. This advancement in 5G technology will enable the network operator to roll out numerous innovative capabilities and user experiences.
Beverly Ngwenya, Vodacom South Africa’s technology director, commented on the achievement, stating, “This accomplishment highlights Vodacom’s leadership in 5G and represents a critical step towards establishing a comprehensive 5G ecosystem, ready to deliver future-oriented services to our customers.”
She emphasised that the successful VoNR call showcases the Vodacom network’s ability to deliver seamless, high-quality voice services across various access technologies. “As a company committed to connecting for a better future, this achievement reflects our dedication to continually advancing our technological capabilities,” she added.
Ngwenya also pointed out the importance of this development in the context of artificial intelligence and the ever-growing demand for modern digital applications. “This is a proud moment that underscores the strength of our network and the hard work of our teams in revolutionising mobile communication.”
The successful 5G call also signifies a major advance in the evolution of mobile communication in South Africa, marking a transformative era for Vodacom and its customers.
