Smile becomes first East African mobile operator to introduce Voice over LTE

Smile is the first operator in East Africa to offer its customers Voice over LTE services, giving them access to the fast growing Global standard for voice and video calling.

SmileVoice comes in two forms; using a world-first downloadable free mobile App that affords customers with Android and Apple iPhone devices the ability to make SuperClear voice calls over Smile’s 4G LTE network, or through the use of a VoLTE-capable handset (such as the latest Samsung devices) plus a Smile SIM card.

SmileUnlimited offers customers 30 days of unlimited access to Smile’s SuperFast 4G LTE mobile broadband service.

Beatrice Kiraso, chairperson, Smile Uganda said, “Smile is the first mobile operator in East Africa to develop and introduce Voice over LTE, plus a world first to develop and introduce a free Voice over LTE mobile application that enables all our customers in Uganda, with Android and iPhone devices, to experience high-quality voice calls over Smile’s network. We are committed to improving the quality of voice and data services in Uganda, and with SmileVoice our customers can call anyone locally and internationally, just like on any other mobile.”

“With our recently announced funding Smile has expanded its existing 4G LTE network in Uganda from 3 to 15 towns, and now provides 30-days of unlimited access to SuperFast mobile broadband – there is no other provider that is offering its customers such value and convenience,” says Beatrice Kiraso.

Elaborating on the SmileUnlimited offering, Steve Bannon, country manager, Smile Uganda, explained that any unlimited offering is subject to a fair usage policy (FUP). Smile’s Usage Policy is very generous and ensures that connectivity will be maintained throughout the 30-day period.

Not only is Smile’s pricing more affordable than that of competitor narrowband offerings, but the superior quality of true broadband also makes SmileUnlimited a fitting application of Smile’s value proposition of speed, quality, reliability and simplicity.

The free SmileVoice App is a world-first, enabling customers that don’t have VoLTE-capable handsets the ability to make reliable Voice over LTE calls when connected to Smile’s mobile broadband. “In the Ugandan market Android is the leading handset and together with the free SmileVoice App, we are ensuring that all our registered customers have a way to experience high-quality voice calls from their mobiles,” says Bannon.

To use SmileVoice, customers will be required to have a registered Smile SIM card and active SmileData service. When out of range of the Smile network, the SmileVoice App will enable calls from any device that is connected to the Internet via 3G or Wi-Fi at home or abroad. Customers who make calls when travelling abroad will be charged their local call rates, as if they were calling from home.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd.