Wireless operator MetroPCS to launch VoIP in Q1 2012

Flat-rate mobile operator MetroPCS, addressing future spectrum concerns, is planning to launch carrier VoIP services in the first quarter of 2012. The company will start to roll out the service over its LTE network.

"We are planning to begin introducing VoLTE-capable handsets early next year to move voice as well as data traffic to our LTE network," CEO Roger Linquist said during the company's earnings call this week.

MetroPCS runs a CDMA and LTE network in 14 major markets; its CDMA covers 146 million POPs, and its LTE should overlay that footprint by early next year using spectrum it owns in the advanced wireless service band PCS spectrum.

MetroPCS has seen rapid growth in smartphone use, which now makes up 25 percent of its customer base. The growth has put additional strain on its network, prompting it to increase its move of voice traffic to LTE.

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