Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark recently made history by conducting the world’s first ‘immersive’ phone call using a new technology called “immersive audio and video.” This innovative technology enhances the quality of a call by providing three-dimensional sound, creating a more lifelike and engaging interaction. Lundmark, who was present during the first-ever 2G call in 1991, expressed his excitement about this groundbreaking milestone.
Technology Enhancements in Call Quality
Traditional smartphone calls are monophonic, which compresses audio elements and results in flat and less detailed sound.
However, Nokia’s immersive audio technology introduces 3D audio, allowing callers to hear everything as if they were physically present with the other person. This significant leap forward improves the live voice calling experience, surpassing the audio quality of current smartphones and PCs.
Jenni Lukander, president of Nokia Technologies, affirmed that this technology represents the most significant advancement in voice calling since the introduction of monophonic telephony audio. The demonstration call was held with Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies, showcasing the potential of this new immersive audio experience.
Implications for Future Communication
The successful demonstration of immersive phone calls signifies a paradigm shift in communication. Apart from person-to-person immersive calls, this technology can be employed in conference calls, enabling the separation of voices based on their spatial locations. Jyri Huopaniemi, head of audio research at Nokia Technologies, highlighted that the vast majority of smartphones already have the necessary hardware, such as two microphones, to implement this technology.
Nokia’s immersive audio technology is part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard, setting the stage for future adoption. The company aims to secure licensing opportunities and collaborate with network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers to integrate this technology into their products.
Advancements in Audio Technology by Nokia
Introduction of 3D Spatial Audio
Nokia’s groundbreaking demonstration is made possible by the introduction of 3D spatial audio. Unlike monophonic audio, which delivers sound through a single channel, spatial audio creates the illusion that sounds are coming from different directions by utilizing multiple channels. This technology has been successfully implemented in various applications, such as Apple Music, Netflix, and Disney Plus, providing users with a more immersive listening experience.
Utilization of IVAS Codec
The immersive audio and video call made by Nokia utilized the 3GPP Immersive Video and Audio Services (IVAS) codec. This codec, an integral part of the upcoming 5G Advanced upgrade, enables callers to experience sound spatially in real-time. By leveraging the IVAS codec, Nokia aims to bring spatial audio capabilities to a majority of smartphones equipped with at least two microphones.
Implementation on Various Smart Devices
Nokia’s immersive audio technology supports live spatial audio across connected devices, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs. This versatility facilitates real-life interactions with three-dimensional sound, enhancing the richness and quality of voice and video calls. The widespread implementation of this technology will significantly benefit both personal and professional communication.
Industry Response and Future Adoption
Standardization of Immersive Audio
The successful demonstration of Nokia’s immersive phone call highlights the standardization of immersive audio technology. This development paves the way for network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers to begin implementing this technology in their respective products.
As a result, users can look forward to enjoying immersive audio experiences across various platforms.
Integration with 5G Advanced
Nokia’s immersive audio technology is poised to be a key component of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard. This integration will take advantage of the enhanced capabilities offered by 5G networks, including faster speeds, improved energy efficiency, and more accurate cellular-based positioning. As 5G Advanced becomes widely available, users can anticipate a significant improvement in the audio quality of their phone calls.
Potential Licensing Opportunities
Nokia aims to leverage its immersive audio technology to create licensing opportunities. While the wide availability of this technology may take a few more years, Nokia’s vision of immersive communication is gaining momentum. The company’s pioneering research and engineering efforts lay the foundation for innovative immersive voice and audio technologies that will benefit users worldwide.
Nokia’s Vision for Immersive Communication
Nokia envisions a future where immersive communication becomes the norm. By leveraging the capabilities of its Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS) codec, Nokia enables real-life interactions with spatial audio. This technology creates a spatial and massively improved listening experience for voice and video calls, offering significant benefits for enterprise and industrial applications.
Furthermore, Nokia’s immersive communication technology has the potential to enhance extended reality (XR) and metaverse interactions, taking these experiences to the next level. As standardization progresses and adoption increases, users can expect more immersive and engaging communication on various connected devices.
Nokia’s historic demonstration of the world’s first ‘immersive’ phone call marks a new era in communication. With the introduction of 3D spatial audio and the utilization of the IVAS codec, Nokia is at the forefront of audio technology advancements. As this technology becomes standardized and integrated with 5G Advanced, users can look forward to a future where immersive communication is a seamless and enriching experience.