Vodafone is deploying Voice over LTE (VoLTE) in Spain and Italy this month, as it looks to improve its call quality in southern Europe.
In Spain, VoLTE is available nationwide and for free to Vodafone customers with compatible handsets. The service can be used on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, LG G3, LG G4, and Samsung Galaxy S5.
Vodafone Spain said customers need to have the latest software installed in their handsets and added that it aims to add more VoLTE compatible devices to its range in the coming months.
Its Spanish LTE network covers three quarters of the population and Vodafone Spain has signed up 2.9 million customers to LTE contracts as of March 2015.
Its Italian counterpart will go live with its VoLTE service on 16 July. Like Spain, Vodafone Italy will offer the service at no extra cost to customers with compatible smartphones.
Vodafone announced earlier this year that it had 2.8 million LTE customers in March and covers 84 percent of the population.
Last month, Dutch operator KPN revealed it had held a VoLTE trial with 120 users, with plans to hold a wider trial later this year.
Also last month, Swisscom launched VoLTE to its customers in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, with plans to follow it with Wi-Fi calling this summer.
Telenor also recently backed VoLTE, when it revealed it would switch off its 2G and 3G networks within the next 10 years as it looks to focus on IP technologies.