Key Difference: VoLTE networks support both voice and data at the same time, without hampering the other. Whereas, the traditional LTE networks may or may not support data and voice together, or may affect the quality of the voice call.

The terms LTE and VoLTE are often thrown around so much, especially for marketing, that their meaning is often confused and muddled. So much so that consumers often don’t know what the terms mean or what they entail. The terms LTE and VoLTE are often used together for marketing, but in reality the two are completely different things, though one is depended on the other.

LTE is basically a 4G network, or rather a prelude to a 4G network. First came 2G, then came 3G, however, technology still has not advanced to the stage where 4G, as described by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), exists. However, technology and speeds have improved over 3G; hence, LTE, a network between 3G and true 4G. LTE stands for Long-Term Evolution. In fact, it is often marketed as LTE 4G or 4G LTE.

So, LTE is a type of network similar to 2G and 3G. It offers faster speeds than the previous two, thus making it easier and faster to transfer data over the network. This is also what enables VoLTE. VoLTE stands for Voice over LTE (Long-Term Evolution). It is a type of service that is available over the LTE network. It allows one to make calls, even video calls directly over the LTE network. As LTE is capable of higher speed downloads and uploads, it results in almost seamless calls.