Ericsson, Qualcomm show LTE to WCDMA call handover

Ericsson and Qualcomm said they have completed the first successful handover of a voice call between LTE and WCDMA networks. LTE networks to date have been focused on handling data traffic only, while equipment makers work on a system to handle voice and SMS over LTE. In addition, equipment is needed to ensure calls can continue when customers move outside LTE coverage areas. The Ericsson platform is based on the 3GPP-standardized Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) protocol, which automatically hands over to WCDMA or GSM networks during the call. The test was successfully completed last December using Ericsson end-to-end network infrastructure and an LTE/3G multimode smartphone chipset from Qualcomm. The handover mechanism is supported on Ericsson's LTE/WCDMA/GSM RAN, Evolved Packet Core, MSC and IMS equipment. The first operators are expected to begin deploying SRVCC during 2012, followed by more global commercial launches in 2013.