Russian mobile operator T2 has implemented Voice over LTE (VoLTE) calling capabilities for its subscribers in international roaming across China, Vietnam, Australia and Singapore, the company told Interfax. t2 mobile VoLTE roaming

To achieve this, T2 signed agreements in 2025 with Chinese operators China Mobile (SPB: 941) and China Unicom, as well as Vietnam’s Viettel. In late 2024, it partnered with Australia’s Telstra and Singapore’s Starhub and Singtel. “Technical teams have successfully completed all configuration and testing phases,” the company said.

Several years ago, T2 also launched VoLTE roaming in the U.S. with partner operator AT&T, coinciding with the country’s phasing-out of 2G and 3G frequencies.

The company clarified that international VoLTE calls are billed as standard roaming calls and do not consume data allowances.

In March, T2 announced the rollout of VoLTE across all Russian regions where it operates.

T2 (T2 Mobile LLC, owned by PJSC Rostelecom) is one of Russia’s largest mobile operators, operating since 2003. The company provides services in 70 Russian regions and offers infrastructure for virtual operators through its “MVNO factory”. As of 2024, its subscriber base reached 48.9 million customers (including Rostelecom’s MVNO ), with over 25 virtual operators utilizing T2’s network.

VoLTE roaming

VoLTE roaming allows mobile users to make high-quality voice calls over 4G LTE networks while traveling abroad, instead of falling back on older 2G or 3G technologies. This results in faster call setup times, clearer audio, and a more seamless user experience—especially as many countries phase out legacy networks. Unlike data services, VoLTE roaming enables voice calls to be billed as standard roaming charges without consuming mobile data, making it both efficient and cost-effective for operators and subscribers alike.

Final thoughts t2 mobile VoLTE roaming

T2’s expansion of VoLTE roaming into key Asia-Pacific markets is more than a technical milestone—it’s a strategic alignment with global telecom trends that prioritize IP-based services and sunset legacy networks. As countries like the U.S., Australia, and parts of Asia aggressively phase out 2G and 3G infrastructure, operators that fail to offer VoLTE roaming risk leaving their subscribers with no voice service abroad. In this regard, T2 joins the ranks of proactive carriers like AT&T, Telstra, and Singtel, which have already embedded VoLTE into their roaming architecture to future-proof voice communications.

The move also mirrors a broader industry shift: prioritizing network interoperability, ensuring voice continuity across borders, and preparing for the transition to all-IP and eventually 5G SA roaming. As VoLTE becomes the de facto global standard for voice, operators like T2 that invest early in cross-border VoLTE partnerships not only enhance customer experience but also secure a competitive edge in international mobile services.