LG Uplus Co., South Korea’s smallest mobile carrier, said Thursday that it plans to start voice over long-term evolution service late this year that will enable smartphone users to access better data and voice services.

The LTE service, or the fourth-generation wireless technology, enables customers to access a stream of data faster than the current 3G network and download and watch movies more quickly. The VoLTE technology allows users to enjoy high quality voice services as well.

“We are aiming to provide the VoLTE service starting in October after completing the nationwide LTE network by March,” Choi Taek-jin, a vice president at LG Uplus, told reporters.

He said that the company is considering providing VoLTE functions on all LTE-based devices starting next year.

South Korea’s mobile carriers are ramping up efforts to have a bigger slice of the growing LTE service market as more people are counting on smartphones.

Together with top mobile carrier SK Telecom Co., LG Uplus launched its LTE service in July last year.

According to LG Uplus, the number of subscribers to its LTE service topped the 1 million mark as of Feb. 15 and the company is seeking to lure more than 4 million customers by the end of this year.

LG Uplus’ rivals SK Telecom and KT Corp. are also seeking to provide VoLTE service within this year. 

(Yonhap News)