Enhancement to the volte provisioning framework to enable volte in 4g smartphones

Abstract

In preparing Malaysia for a steady transition to 5G technology, the Government of Malaysia has launched Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA). One of the initiative under JENDELA is the 3G Network Sunset project, where the 3G network will be switched off by the end of 2021. For a successful 3G Network Sunset, the voice calls need to be migrated from Circuit Switch (CS) to Packet Switch (PS) using Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) services because the 2G network will not be able to support the voice calls traffic over CS after the 3G switch-off due to the limited bandwidth. However, the low penetration of VoLTE provisioned devices in the market and the tedious and costly VoLTE provisioning process may impend the success of the 3G Network Sunset initiative. MCMC as the regulator of communications and multimedia is responsible for ensuring the initiative is successful and protecting the public interest. This research is intended to enhance the VoLTE provisioning framework to enable VoLTE in 4G smartphones to support the 3G Network Sunset initiative. The study will utilise Business Process Improvement (BPI), Lean, and Six Sigma principles to remove the waste process and subsequently improve the business process under the VoLTE provisioning framework in order to increase the penetration of VoLTE enable devices. For this research, the As-Is and To-Be model framework is chosen due to its benefits, as well as defining the differences between the original and the later improvised VoLTE provisioning process. Based on the As-Is Model, the waste process is identified, and it will be removed or modified to improve the overall business process. This research has significant influence locally and internationally, especially on Government policy in the communications and multimedia industry. The switching off of legacy networks is inevitable because of the fast pace of technology development. In addition, this research shows an excellent example of Government intervention in order to improve a business process involving multiple organisations through a collaborative platform.