Nowadays you can call via 4G with all the providers. But what does this mean, what are the benefits and how can I use them? In this article we explain how calling over 4G works and what the benefits are.

• 1. What are 4G calls?
• 2. What are the advantages of calling over 4G?
• 3. Are there restrictions for 4G calls?
• 4. How do I know if I can make calls over 4G?
• 5. Why have we never called on 4G before?

1. What are 4G calls?

What are 4G calls? Calling over 4G is nothing more than what it says. They are voice calls over a 4G / LTE network instead of the 2G or 3G connections that are commonly used.

People tend to think that 4G is only used for downloading, streaming and surfing the internet. Until now, the 4G network was used for this. However, today 4G is also used to make calls. 

2. What are the advantages of calling over 4G?

Superior call quality

The great advantage of calling over 4G is that the quality of the call is superior to 3G or 2G connections, as much more data can be transferred over 4G than over 2G or 3G. Up to three times more data than 3G and up to six times more than 2G to be precise.

This makes your interlocutor much easier to understand. Not only what is said, but also the tone. In essence, it is an HD voice call that is comparable to HD television.

Improved coverage and connection

Calls over 4G can connect calls up to twice as fast as current methods. Since 2G and 3G networks are still available when there is no 4G signal, mobile coverage is much higher. When there is no 4G signal available, the phone switches back to 2G or 3G. 

In many cases 4G at 800 MHz is used. This low frequency has a much wider range than the higher frequencies of 1800 and 2100 MHz. The 800 MHz extends much further from the cell tower than the 2100 MHz, which is generally use for 3G. The bottom line is that the 4G network has a much greater range than 2G and 3G.

Although 2G and 3G will continue to exist, these networks will be used less and less. Therefore, it may be that the frequencies that are currently used for 2G or 3G will be used for 4G in the future. In this way, more and more people will call over 4G.

Better battery life

Anyone calling on 4G will find that their phone's battery will last longer. When calls were not being made over 4G, mobile phones had to constantly switch to 2G or 3G when a phone call was initiated. When calling over 4G, a mobile phone does not have to constantly change. Switching between networks consumes a lot of power, so the battery drains faster.

Being constantly connected to 4G, the battery lasts longer.

Video calls

In theory, it is also possible to make video calls over the 4G network, like a Skype call. The difference is that a mobile number is used. So you can make calls like a normal phone call, but with video. This is possible with anyone who also calls over 4G. Therefore, separate accounts with external parties like Skype are no longer required.

Video calling services like Skype usually offer better sound quality than picture quality. This is because there is a certain technology behind which the interlocutors use the same technology. Because both people use the same network for (video) calls over 4G, the call quality improves and the battery lasts longer.

3. Are there any restrictions for 4G calls?

Calls over 4G are not (yet) available to everyone and everywhere. Furthermore, it is not yet possible to call overseas via 4G. However, outside of this, calls over 4G have few limitations.

4.How do I know if I can make calls over 4G?

The possibility of making calls over 4G depends on several factors. It differs by provider and mobile phone. Check with your provider if you can make calls via 4G.

5. Why have we never called on 4G before?

The problem with calling over 4G is that the 4G network is a data-only technology and therefore not originally designed for voice calls. 2G and 3G were initially designed for voice calls, after which data was added.

So new protocols have been designed to call over 4G, which has been a lot of work. Several updates have been carried out for a new 'VoLTE infrastructure'. There are no standard solutions, each technology and each network has its own design.

The biggest challenge was getting the phone to switch back to 2G or 3G during a phone call when no 4G signal is present. This should be done smoothly to avoid the call being disconnected. Therefore, cell phone towers must support both 2G / 3G and 4G, so that the phone can always switch back if necessary.

¿Cuál es la solución si no recibo señal 4G en mi edificio?

Si no recibe una señal 4G y, por lo tanto, no puede llamar a través de 4G, un amplificador 4G es una muy buena solución. Puedes leer qué amplificador 4G necesitas en el artículo (ver enlace anterior). Por supuesto, siempre puede contactarnos para obtener un asesoramiento personalizado.