Reliance Jio, India's largest telecom operator with over 500 million users, has activated Voice over New Radio (VoNR) across India, marking a significant upgrade to its 5G services. This advancement eliminates the need for the network to fall back on 4G VoLTE during calls, promising a superior and more efficient voice communication experience for users.

What is VoNR?

VoNR is a technology that enables users to make and receive voice calls directly over 5G networks. It leverages the capabilities of 5G, such as ultra-low latency and high data speeds, to deliver enhanced call quality, improved reliability, and greater efficiency. Unlike previous methods where voice calls would sometimes be routed through older 4G networks, VoNR ensures that calls remain on the 5G network from start to finish.

Benefits of VoNR

• Enhanced Voice Quality: VoNR delivers high-definition (HD) voice calls, making conversations crisp and clear. Advanced audio codecs, such as enhanced voice services (EVS) of super-wide band (SWB) and EVS of full band (FB), contribute to a more natural-sounding voice experience.
• Faster Call Setup Times: VoNR significantly reduces the time it takes to connect a call, making communication quicker and more seamless.
• Lower Latency: 5G networks have significantly lower latency compared to previous generations, and VoNR takes advantage of this, resulting in near real-time voice communication. This is particularly beneficial for applications that require instant voice communication.
• Improved Battery Efficiency: By eliminating the need to switch between 5G and 4G networks during calls, VoNR helps to improve battery life on mobile devices.
• Seamless Multitasking: VoNR allows users to maintain high-quality voice calls while simultaneously using data-intensive applications such as video streaming or gaming.
• Enhanced Coverage and Connectivity: VoNR leverages the capabilities of 5G to help ensure reliable voice communication even in areas with weak signal strength or high network congestion.
• Support for New Features and Services: VoNR can enable the implementation of new features and services that were not possible with previous voice technologies. For example, it can allow for real-time language translation, opening up new possibilities for voice-based applications.

Jio's Indigenous Technology

Jio's pan-India VoNR rollout is powered by its fully indigenous 5G Standalone (SA) Core and IMS (IP multimedia subsystem)-enhanced VoNR Core. This end-to-end VoNR capability on its homegrown technology stack enables ultra-low latency and high-definition voice services natively on 5G. According to Ayush Bhatnagar, Senior Vice President at Reliance Jio, this milestone reinforces Jio's commitment to building a fully indigenous technology stack, from 5G radios to 5G SA Core and VoNR-enabled IMS.

Impact and Future

With VoNR, users can expect crystal clear voice quality during calls, faster call setup times, fewer call drops, and lower battery consumption. This advancement not only enhances the user experience but also strengthens Jio's push for technology independence. Jio's leadership has expressed intentions to expand its innovative technologies globally, aiming to solve global challenges and create value for partners and shareholders alike. The activation of VoNR across India marks the world's largest-scale deployment of Voice over New Radio. This move is expected to drive sovereign capability in advanced telecom systems, deliver a future-ready digital experience for every Indian, and pave the way for new revenue opportunities and emerging 5G applications.