Vodafone completes VoLTE programme

Vodafone VoLTE upgrade now nationwide

Seven months after switching on its first VoLTE sites, Vodafone says it has now completed its nationwide upgraded programme. This is three months ahead of schedule.

The company says it worked with Nokia on the project. Sharina Nisha, Vodafone head of platforms says the programme included end-to-end compatibility testing with phones from a range of manufacturers.

Among those that work with VoLTE are iPhone 6 and any newer iPhone along with most recent Samsung models.

VoLTE means voice callers on Vodafone's network can stay on 4G connections. In the past they would drop back to 3G or even 2G for voice calls.

Privacy commissioner wants emergency service location input

John Edwards, the privacy commissioner, plans to extend the Emergency Caller Location Information service.

At the moment the location system is passive. It only kicks in after a 111 call.

The proposed update will help emergency services find people at risk even if they have not made a 111 call. It works by collecting and sharing location data for any devices that person might have with them.

Edwards sees this being used for cases such as where someone is lost in the bush, kidnapped or potentially aiming to harm themselves. He is calling for submissions from anyone interested in the proposals.

Polyneisan cable reaches Tahiti

CommsDay reports the Manatua One Polynesia Cable made its final splice finishing the ship cable laying operation. The 3600km cable now connects six Polynesian islands. It will drop at Apia in Samoa, Tahiti and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Niue, Rarotonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.

Avaroa Cable Ltd, the company behind the cable says operation is due to start in May.

This edition of the Download Weekly newsletter originally included UK resists US pressure to ban Huawei 5G kit which has been moved to a separate post.