Team Neemopani
In a groundbreaking leap for telecommunications, Nokia has unveiled a revolutionary new technology that promises to transform the way we experience phone calls. On June 10, 2024, Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark demonstrated the world’s first phone call using “immersive audio and video” technology, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital communication.
A New Era of Lifelike Conversations
This cutting-edge technology enhances the quality of phone calls by incorporating three-dimensional sound, making interactions more lifelike than ever before. Unlike traditional monophonic calls, which compress audio elements into a flat and less detailed sound, Nokia’s 3D audio technology allows callers to experience conversations as if they were physically present with the other person.
“We have demonstrated the future of voice calls,” stated Lundmark, who has witnessed several technological advancements in his career, including the first 2G call in 1991. His excitement was palpable as he emphasized the potential of this innovation to redefine communication standards.
Immersive Audio and Video: A Game Changer
Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, described the new technology as “the biggest leap forward in the live voice calling experience since the introduction of monophonic telephony audio used in smartphones and PCs today.” The immersive audio call was held with Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies, highlighting the significance and readiness of this technology for broader applications.
Standardization and Future Implementation
The immersive audio and video technology is set to become standardized, paving the way for network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers to integrate it into their products. “This is now becoming standardised … so the network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products,” Lukander explained.
Practical Applications and Future Prospects
Nokia’s demonstration was conducted using a regular smartphone over a public 5G network, showcasing the feasibility of integrating this technology into existing devices. Apart from personal calls, the technology holds immense potential for enhancing conference calls by separating participants’ voices based on their spatial locations. Jyri Huopaniemi, Head of Audio Research at Nokia Technologies, elaborated on this, noting that most smartphones, equipped with at least two microphones, can transmit the spatial characteristics of a call in real time.
This innovation is part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard, and Nokia aims to explore licensing opportunities to make this technology widely available within the next few years.
A Glimpse into the Future
As Nokia sets the stage for the next generation of communication, the introduction of immersive audio and video technology represents a monumental shift in how we connect with each other. By making interactions more lifelike and engaging, Nokia is not only enhancing the user experience but also pushing the boundaries of what is possible in digital communication.
The future of phone calls is here, and it sounds better than ever.
