Netherlands-based digital security developer Gemalto has revealed it is supplying Japanese mobile network operator (MNO) KDDI (au) with its proprietary ‘UpTeq’ multi-tenant Long Term Evolution (LTE) SIM to secure their voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) services. au, which has more than 40 million mobile subscribers, says the VoLTE service will enable subscribers to enjoy improved voice quality, simultaneous voice and data usability, and seamless connectivity using the newer IP-based 4G LTE network. ‘With KDDI’s LTE network covering 99% of the Japanese population, we have the necessary infrastructure in place to make the VoLTE deployment a success,’ said Masahiro Kobayashi, executive director and general manager, product planning division at KDDI. ‘With VoLTE having the potential to be a USD16 billion business by 2017, KDDI is entering the market at the right time, just as it starts to heat up,’ said Michael Au, president south Asia and Japan at Gemalto.
