What is VoNR and what are its advantages over VoLTE?

December 1, 2024

Voice Over New Radio commonly known as VoNR is a tech based on 5G network connectivity. It takes over as the successor of the 4G VoLTE (Voice Over LTE) with some advantages. In this article, we’ll talk and discuss VoNR in general, including its features and expected availability in Nepal.

Voice Over New Radio (VoNR) Overview:

What is VoNR?

So basically, VoNR is the process of encasing Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) using the 5G connectivity, on Standalone (SA) architecture. 5G network doesn’t support voice calls natively which is the same as 4G. For instance, you have a 4G NTC or Ncell SIM but haven’t activated VoLTE on your phone. You can use data at 4G speed but attending a phone call at the same time, your data will fall back to 3G. This proves the aforementioned point that 4G also doesn’t support support native voice calling. That’s why VoLTE was introduced and it’s the same thing for VoNR.

Advantages over VoLTE

Compared to the last-gen tech, VoLTE, VoNR does boast some advantages.

Better Voice Quality: VoNR provides an even better call quality and improved overall communication, thanks to 5G connectivity. Plus, it removes the LTE anchor, so voice calls will stay entirely within the 5G network. On the contrary, VoLTE uses a 4G network for the same purpose.
Native Video Calls: Like VoLTE, VoNR also boasts support for native video calling or carrier video calling. But as expected, it offers a better quality on this side too.
Latency: VoNR as a new tech also excels in lower latency than VoLTE. So, you will get faster call setup.
Faster Data Connection: As it’s based on 5G, you can opt to keep using high-speed 5G data even during a phone call. While VoLTE calls can only provide 4G internet speed during an audio call.
More Support for IoT devices: Likewise, VoNR also extends support to more IoT (Internet of Things) devices, thanks to 5G connectivity.
Efficiency: VoNR is also light on battery consumption, providing better efficiency than VoLTE.

Pre-requisites for VoNR to work

In case you didn’t know, the 5G network operates in two architectures: Standalone (SA) and Non Standalone (NSA). The former as the name implies, has a separate architecture dedicated to 5G while the latter uses an existing 4G LTE core: Evolved Packet Core (EPC) for deploying the 5G network. But bandwidth speed is much better on the SA network albeit with a lesser coverage area than NSA.

Standalone 5G architecture: To use VoNR, your device must be connected to a 5G connectivity from a Standalone Architecture (SA). That means VoNR doesn’t work on a 5G network based on a Non-Standalone Architecture.
Supported Carrier: VoNR also depends on the carrier or telecom operator. If your carrier supports VoNR, it will work on your smartphone otherwise, it won’t. Plus as aforementioned, VoNR requires SA, so if your carrier is using an NSA architecture, the voice calls will fall back to 4G, i.e, VoLTE
Supported Devices: In order to use VoNR, support on your device is also a must, as if it weren’t obvious. So, not only the 5G network support, but your smartphone should support VoNR calls. This was the same case with VoLTE, older phones despite having 4G network support, don’t boast VoLTE support.

VoNR Availability in Nepal

As everyone knows, 5G has yet to arrive in Nepal. The state-owned telco, Nepal Telecom has been internally testing it for the past two years, but, there are no certain dates for the commercial launch. On the other hand, Ncell is yet to receive a trial license from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.

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Plus, most importantly, the initial 5G network launch will likely be based on Non Standalone Architecture (NSA). So, it won’t support Voice Over New Radio. But that doesn’t put an end to the availability of VoNR in Nepal as NTC will also provide a 5G network on Standalone Architecture sometime after launching 5G on NSA.

How to activate VoLTE in Nepal?

Since VoNR is not available in Nepal, let’s take a quick recap of how to activate VoLTE in Nepal. By the way, VoLTE service is free and it doesn’t incur any extra charges for your information.

Activate VoLTE on NTC

First, dial *444# on your phone’s keypad.
Then, the USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) response will list three options.
To activate VoLTE, select the “Activate VOLTE” option by dialing 2 on your keypad.
Now, VoLTE is activated on your NTC SIM.
Also, dial *111# to claim 100 minutes free NTC to NTC voice pack valid for 28 days.
Head over to the SIM settings or Mobile network settings on your smartphone and enable 4G calling or VoLTE calling.

Activate VoLTE on Ncell

You can dial *17201# on your phone’s keypad.
VoLTE will be activated on your Ncell SIM.
Head over to the SIM settings or Mobile network settings on your smartphone and enable 4G calling or VoLTE calling.

Meanwhile, you can watch our Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus review.