vSRVCC Single radio video call continuity
vSRVCC (Virtual Single Radio Video Call Continuity)
vSRVCC, short for Virtual Single Radio Video Call Continuity, is a technology used in mobile networks to enable seamless handover of video calls between different network types, such as 4G (LTE) and 3G (UMTS), without interrupting the call. It is an evolution of the traditional Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) technology, which allows voice calls to be handed over between different network types.
Background - SRVCC:
Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) is a technology introduced to facilitate voice call continuity when a mobile device moves between different network types, primarily from an LTE network to a 3G network. In SRVCC, during a handover, the voice call session is seamlessly transferred from the LTE radio to the 3G radio, ensuring no call drops or disruptions for the user.
Introduction of vSRVCC:
With the increasing popularity of video calls and the transition to LTE-based networks, there arose a need for a similar technology to handle video call continuity. This led to the development of vSRVCC, an extension of SRVCC specifically designed for video calls.
Key Features and Operation of vSRVCC:
- Seamless Handover of Video Calls: vSRVCC enables the seamless handover of video calls between different network types, such as LTE and 3G, without interrupting the call. The technology ensures a smooth transition for users, preventing call drops or disruptions during the handover process.
- Interworking Between LTE and 3G: vSRVCC operates by facilitating interworking between the LTE and 3G networks. When a video call is in progress over an LTE network, and the user moves to an area with only 3G coverage, vSRVCC takes over to ensure the call continues uninterrupted.
- Media Session Continuity: During the handover process, vSRVCC ensures the continuity of the media session, including both audio and video streams. This is essential to provide a seamless user experience without any degradation in call quality.
- Network Support: Both the source (originating) and target (destination) networks must support vSRVCC for the technology to work. The mobile device and the core network elements must be capable of handling vSRVCC procedures.
- IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) Integration: vSRVCC typically involves the integration of the IMS infrastructure, which allows for the transfer of media and signaling information between the source and target networks.
Benefits of vSRVCC:
- Enhanced User Experience: vSRVCC ensures a seamless and uninterrupted video call experience for users when they move between LTE and 3G coverage areas.
- Network Flexibility: With vSRVCC, network operators can deploy a combination of LTE and 3G networks without sacrificing the quality and continuity of video calls.
- Future-Proofing: As the transition to 5G networks continues, vSRVCC and similar technologies are expected to play a role in enabling video call continuity across 5G and other network generations.
Conclusion:
vSRVCC (Virtual Single Radio Video Call Continuity) is a technology that enables seamless handover of video calls between different network types, such as LTE and 3G, without call drops or interruptions. It extends the benefits of Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) to video calls, enhancing the user experience and network flexibility in mixed LTE and 3G deployment scenarios. As video calls become more prevalent in mobile communication, vSRVCC plays an important role in ensuring high-quality and continuous video call services.