RIL's 4G to offer voice services too

The service will have limitations and would work only with smartphones and PCs.

After Airtel, Reliance Industries (RIL) is also set to provide voice and video call services through its 4G network, which is primarily meant for data services. RIL has partnered with Spirit DSP, a Russia based voice and video over IP engines provider, for the same.

"Reliance intends to invest $10 billion in its LTE network and has turned to Spirit's software based products for voice and video calls over LTE instead of waiting for phone makers who are slow in offering handsets transmitting voice and video in 4G networks," says a press statement from Spirit.

While RIL, a pan-India license holder for 4G services, is evaluating VoLTE (Voice-Over-LTE) to tackle the challenge, Bharti Airtel is testing Circuit Switched Fall Back (CSFB) technology to ensure voice capability in its 4G services.

The software based solution is intended to be used for providing HD voice and video services over Reliance's network. However, this service can be utilised by people on Reliance's LTE network or at max by those who have the Spirit app and are using at least 3G data services. The service will work only with smartphones and PCs.

Whereas Airtel's CSFB technology will allow any Airtel user to call Airtel LTE subscriber and vice a versa without the need to get an app, as the technology basically utilises already available 3G and 2G network for making calls.

Spirit claims to be the leader of providing voice and video over IP engines and serves more than 1 billion users in over 100 countries.

Little is known about RIL's 4G foray as of now, however it has made it clear that it will focus on content and affordability. It has started awarding contracts for network roll-out also.