Epic Malta has partnered with international connectivity enabler BICS to ensure its subscribers stay connected when traveling abroad. With the sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks expected to peak in 2025 — impacting countries such as Iceland and Israel, as well as operators like Orange in France and VM02 in the UK — Epic is committed to keeping its subscribers connected while traveling to markets like the UK, the US and Asia.
BICS’ solution ensures interoperability between newer networks that carry voice calls over the internet (VoLTE) and older networks that use traditional circuit-switched lines. Without this solution, customers moving between VoLTE and non-VoLTE networks may be unable to make calls or send SMS messages including emergency numbers.
This solution is specially tailored for operators transitioning from 2G/3G networks to VoLTE-only systems. It ensures connectivity from roamers coming from non-VoLTE markets, ensuring they stay connected while visiting the country without interruptions. As a global leader in voice carrier services, BICS goes beyond merely ‘translating’ Epic’s voice traffic. It delivers unparalleled roaming service quality to subscribers, upholding stringent security standards, mitigating the risks of grey routing, and providing access to the world’s third-largest SMS hub for comprehensive communication support.
Jorn Vercamert, Chief Product Officer, Proximus Global
As operators work to enhance and upgrade their networks to deliver better services for their customers, priorities and timelines will naturally differ. With the rapid evolution of technology, the industry must proactively work to address any potential gaps that could arise. With this solution, Epic accesses the advantages of VoLTE roaming without the need for upfront investment or the ongoing burden of maintaining infrastructure.
