Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Market Outlook: 4G Network Expansion and Enhanced Communication Growth Opportunities

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, The global voice over LTE (VoLTE) market size reached USD 23.2 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 919.8 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 50.5% during 2025-2033.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Market

• Network Quality Optimization and Call Performance Management: AI algorithms analyze real-time network data to optimize call quality, reduce latency, and predict potential service disruptions. Machine learning models monitor voice traffic patterns and automatically adjust network parameters to maintain HD voice clarity across LTE networks.
• Predictive Network Maintenance and Fault Detection: AI-powered systems process massive datasets from network sensors to identify equipment anomalies and predict infrastructure failures before they impact service quality. These intelligent monitoring solutions reduce downtime by enabling proactive maintenance scheduling and rapid fault isolation across distributed telecommunications infrastructure.
• Automated Traffic Management and Load Balancing: Machine learning algorithms dynamically distribute voice traffic across network resources based on real-time demand patterns and capacity constraints. AI optimization ensures efficient spectrum utilization while maintaining quality of service during peak usage periods.

Explore Updated 2026 Market Trends & Analysis

Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Industry Overview:

The VoLTE market is experiencing explosive growth driven by rapid 5G network deployments and the phaseout of legacy 2G/3G infrastructure across major telecommunications markets. Global 5G connections reached 2.25 billion in 2024, expanding four times faster than 4G LTE adoption at comparable deployment stages. Operators worldwide are transitioning to all-IP network architectures, with 354 commercial 5G networks operational globally as network modernization initiatives accelerate. The GSMA partnership with Samsung to enable VoLTE by default on Android 15 devices marks significant progress toward universal compatibility, addressing critical connectivity requirements as legacy networks shut down.

Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Market Trends & Drivers

The accelerated retirement of 2G and 3G networks globally is the primary catalyst driving VoLTE adoption as operators reallocate spectrum resources for advanced 4G and 5G services. Australia completed its 3G shutdown in October 2024, forcing migration of over 740,000 devices initially flagged for compatibility issues. Verizon shut down CDMA networks at the end of 2022, requiring all customers to transition to VoLTE-capable devices. European operators are following similar trajectories, with Germany mandating replacement of critical management systems by 2029. These network consolidation efforts compel both consumers and enterprises to upgrade devices and embrace VoLTE as the standard voice solution, creating massive replacement demand across wireless ecosystems while enabling operators to optimize infrastructure investments.

Integration with 5G standalone architecture and network slicing capabilities is reshaping VoLTE value propositions for enterprise and commercial applications. T-Mobile US launched commercial voice services across standalone 5G core networks in multiple markets during 2022, enabling seamless voice and data sessions while supporting advanced network slicing for differentiated services. Operators have deployed 33 network slicing implementations globally, with 65 cases progressing beyond proof-of-concept to commercial deployment. Private wireless RAN revenues surged over 40% in 2024, exceeding earlier projections as enterprises adopt dedicated LTE and 5G networks requiring reliable VoLTE integration. Wide-area private deployments grew faster than campus projects, signaling strong demand from industrial and public sector customers requiring mission-critical voice communications alongside high-speed data services.

Consumer demand for superior voice quality and simultaneous voice-data usage is sustaining VoLTE momentum despite competing over-the-top alternatives. VoLTE delivers HD voice clarity with Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband codecs and Enhanced Voice Services, providing significant quality improvements versus traditional circuit-switched calls. The technology enables users to access internet services and applications during voice calls without quality degradation, addressing fundamental consumer expectations for seamless connectivity. Smartphone manufacturers including Samsung are integrating VoLTE support by default across device lineups, leveraging GSMA Network Settings Exchange platforms for simplified operator configuration. Asia Pacific maintains the largest subscriber base driving VoLTE growth, with smartphone penetration exceeding 70% in major markets including China, Japan, and South Korea.

Leading Companies Operating in the Global Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Industry:

• China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited
• D2 Technologies Inc.
• Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
• Mobileum
• Nanjing ZTE software Co. Ltd
• NetScout Systems, Inc
• Nokia Corporation
• Ribbon Communications Operating Company, Inc
• Rogers Communications
• Singtel Optus Pty Limited
• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Market Report Segmentation:

• By Technology:
• Voice Over IP Multimedia Subsystem (VoIMS)
• Circuit Switched Fall Back (CSFB)
• Dual Radio/Simultaneous Voice and LTE (SVLTE)
• Voice Over LTE Via Generic Access Network (VOLGA)
• Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC)

Voice Over IP Multimedia Subsystem (VoIMS) represents the largest segment as it provides native packet-based voice services with superior quality and efficiency compared to circuit-switched fallback approaches.

By Device Type:

• Smartphones
• Routers
• Wireless Modems
• Others

Smartphones dominate the market as they remain the primary consumer device for voice communications and drive the majority of VoLTE traffic globally.

By End Use Industry:

• Corporate
• Commercial
• Government

Corporate end users hold the largest market share due to growing enterprise demand for unified communications platforms and private network deployments requiring reliable voice services.

Regional Insights:

• North America (United States, Canada)
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Others)
• Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Others)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Others)
• Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific exhibits clear dominance in the VoLTE market due to massive subscriber populations, rapid 4G/5G infrastructure expansion, and high smartphone adoption rates across the region.

Recent News and Developments in Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Market

• November 2025: Nokia secured a landmark three-year contract with Telecom Italia to expand 5G coverage and capacity, increasing its RAN share to become the operator's largest vendor. The agreement positions Nokia to replace equipment from multiple competitors while demonstrating renewed competitiveness in European telecommunications markets with enhanced 5G product portfolios.
• November 2025: Ericsson released its Mobility Report indicating 5G subscriptions reached one-third of total global mobile subscriptions, with network slicing gaining commercial traction as 33 service providers now offer differentiated connectivity services. The report confirmed 65 network slicing implementations have progressed beyond proof-of-concept to commercial deployment, supporting advanced VoLTE traffic management capabilities.
• October 2024: Australian telecommunications operators completed 3G network shutdowns with Telstra and Optus finalizing transitions on October 28, following Vodafone's earlier January completion. The coordinated shutdowns required migration of affected devices to VoLTE-compatible alternatives, with government reviews reducing initial concerns from 740,000 potentially impacted devices to fewer than 70,000 following comprehensive compatibility assessments.
• September 2025: GSMA announced partnership with Samsung Electronics to enable VoLTE by default across Android 15 devices including the Galaxy S25 series. The initiative leverages Network Settings Exchange platform for centralized operator configuration distribution, supporting global VoLTE readiness as countries phase out legacy 2G/3G networks for spectrum reallocation toward 5G services.
• July 2023: Nokia Corporation and Ooredoo Qatar activated Voice over New Radio (VoNR) capable 5G devices, completing successful data calls in 5G Standalone mode during testing. The demonstrations advanced next-generation voice service capabilities building upon established VoLTE infrastructure, enabling seamless evolution toward fully native 5G voice architectures in commercial networks.

Note: If you require specific details, data, or insights that are not currently included in the scope of this report, we are happy to accommodate your request. As part of our customization service, we will gather and provide the additional information you need, tailored to your specific requirements. Please let us know your exact needs, and we will ensure the report is updated accordingly to meet your expectations.