American telecom service provider AT&T is using Samsung’s smartphones to test-run the voice over long-term evolution (VoLTE) service slated to be launched this year.
Yonhap reported that AT&T included Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones among the devices to be tested for the VoLTE service.
The development will assist Samsung to expand its smartphone presence in the U.S.
The VoLTE service, which offers voice calls through the fourth-generation LTE network, enables clearer quality and faster connection than services on the existing 3G network. Previously, LTE networks supported only data transmission.
Verizon Wireless, the top mobile carrier in the U.S., currently has no plans to commence the VoLTE service, and Apple’s smartphones also do not support the latest voice network.
Samsung Electronics released its VoLTE smartphones in its home turf in August 2012, in conjunction with commercialized VoLTE services by local mobile carriers SK Telecom and LG Uplus.