Kcell Launched VoLTE Services for Roaming Customers
The operator has extended high-definition voice roaming capabilities to users traveling through Turkey and Georgia.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Do you plan to check for VoLTE roaming availability before traveling abroad?
Kcell has enabled VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution) services for customers traveling abroad. The functionality allows subscribers on the Kcell and Activ brands to maintain high-quality voice connectivity while roaming on partner networks in Turkey and Georgia.
Why it matters
Expanding VoLTE to roaming partners is a key shift in how mobile operators maintain service quality as legacy 2G and 3G networks are phased out globally. This development ensures subscribers do not lose voice functionality when traveling, bridging the gap between domestic network capabilities and international service requirements.
Kcell provides VoLTE, which carries voice traffic over IP (Internet Protocol) data streams rather than circuit-switched networks, to users roaming on Turk Telekom in Turkey and Magticom in Georgia. This deployment expands the reach of the technology first implemented domestically by Kcell in June 2026.
The players
Kcell
A major mobile network operator based in Kazakhstan that provides voice and data services to its Kcell and Activ brands.
Turk Telekom
A primary telecommunications operator in Turkey serving as a roaming partner for international mobile traffic.
Magticom
A major Georgian telecommunications company that provides mobile network infrastructure and roaming services.
The details
VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution) uses an IP-based architecture to deliver voice data as packets, enabling higher audio fidelity than older circuit-switched methods. Kcell achieves this international connectivity by establishing direct network agreements with foreign operators, allowing for the seamless handoff of traffic. This process ensures the user remains on a modern data layer rather than reverting to deprecated mobile voice standards.
Timeline
June 2026: Kcell implemented VoLTE technology in its domestic market.
September 2026: Kcell launched VoLTE roaming services on partner networks.
The Tech Race
This move aligns Kcell with the global industry shift toward decommissioning legacy 2G and 3G infrastructure. By integrating VoLTE across international partners, Kcell is working to standardize user experiences as older, circuit-switched voice protocols become increasingly obsolete.
Customers traveling to Turkey or Georgia can now access higher-quality voice calls automatically while using their existing Kcell or Activ SIM cards. The service requires no additional software setup, as it is activated through the carrier-level agreements with Turk Telekom and Magticom.
The takeaway
The move highlights the importance of IP-based voice agreements as operators retire older network layers. Users should monitor the operator's service updates for additional partner networks added to the roaming coverage map in the coming months.
Further reading
For more on the shift toward modern voice standards, see the Telecommunications archive.
Live Poll
Do you plan to check for VoLTE roaming availability before traveling abroad?
