Vodacom makes history with South Africa’s first 5G voice call

Vodacom has today announced a historic achievement of completing South Africa’s first “native” voice call over a 5G network, known as Voice over New Radio (VoNR). Conducted on a test network, this milestone paves the way for enhanced voice communication over 5G infrastructure. 

The telecoms giant shared the news in a statement, hinting at a potential rollout to its live network soon, though no specific timeline was provided.

Beverly Ngwenya, Vodacom South Africa’s Technology Director, in the statement explained, “As a company led by our purpose to connect for a better future, this achievement is testament to our commitment to the continuous evolution of our technology capabilities and in pioneering next-generation connectivity solutions to ensure the delivery of fast, reliable, and secure connectivity for our customers.”

Vodacom’s successful VoNR call marks a significant advancement in South Africa’s telecom landscape. Unlike traditional 5G smartphones, which revert to 4G/LTE for voice calls, VoNR enables seamless voice communication directly over 5G networks. This technology leverages 5G’s high-speed, low-latency capabilities, previously reserved for data transmission. This leads to faster call setup times, superior voice quality, and reduced background noise, offering users a crystal-clear calling experience.

VoNR builds on the foundation laid by Voice over LTE (VoLTE), introduced in the country over a decade ago. While VoLTE improved call quality and setup times compared to 3G, VoNR takes it further. It supports ultra-high-definition audio and enhances phone battery life, making it a game-changer for mobile communication.

 Why 5G voice calls?

The shift to VoNR is more than a technical upgrade. It maximises the potential of 5G infrastructure, which has primarily been used for data services like streaming and browsing. By enabling voice calls over 5G, Vodacom can handle more simultaneous calls, reducing network congestion. This is particularly crucial as data traffic continues to surge.

For consumers, VoNR promises tangible benefits. Faster call connections mean less waiting time. High-quality audio ensures clearer conversations, even in noisy environments. Additionally, VoNR’s efficiency could lead to better battery performance on 5G-enabled devices, a feature many users will appreciate.

“This is especially important in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the widespread use of modern digital applications. It’s a proud moment that highlights the strength of our network and the dedication of our teams in shaping the future of mobile communication,” Ngwenya added.

Vodacom highlighted that many modern smartphones, including recent models from Apple and Samsung, already support VoNR, ensuring broad compatibility.

The technical feat behind Vodacom’s VoNR test

Vodacom’s VoNR test call was no small achievement. It utilised a “single packet core”, a complex setup requiring cloud orchestration and network upgrades. This infrastructure allows seamless integration of voice and data services across multiple access technologies. 

The successful test demonstrates Vodacom’s readiness to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted voice services on its 5G network.

The company’s investment in 5G began years ago, with its first live 5G network launched in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town in 2020. Since then, Vodacom has expanded its 5G footprint, supported by temporary spectrum allocations from ICASA. These efforts have positioned Vodacom as a leader in African telecommunications, with networks spanning countries like Egypt, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

While Vodacom’s statement did not specify a timeline for VoNR’s commercial rollout, the company is optimistic about its potential.

Integrating VoNR into its live network will require further testing and optimisation. However, Vodacom’s track record suggests a commitment to rapid deployment. In 2015, it became the first South African operator to launch VoLTE, and its early adoption of 5G in 2020 set a precedent for innovation.

The introduction of VoNR aligns with Vodacom’s broader strategy to modernise its network. The company has invested heavily in 5G to meet growing data demands, driven by applications like virtual reality, e-education, and 4K/8K streaming. By adding voice capabilities to 5G, Vodacom is future-proofing its network for a data-driven world.

Vodacom’s VoNR milestone could set a benchmark for other African operators. As 5G adoption grows across the continent, competitors like MTN and Telkom may accelerate their own VoNR initiatives. The technology’s ability to enhance call quality and network efficiency could reshape consumer expectations, pushing operators to prioritise 5G voice services.