Nokia CEO Pioneers World's First Immersive Phone Call

Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark has achieved a technological milestone by making the world's first phone call using "immersive audio and video" technology.

This innovative advancement promises to revolutionize the quality of phone calls by incorporating three-dimensional sound, making interactions more lifelike and dynamic, the company announced on Monday.

Demonstrating the Future of Voice Calls

"We have demonstrated the future of voice calls," stated Pekka  Lundmark, who has a long history with the company, having been present when the first 2G call was made back in 1991.

This new technology marks a significant leap from the current monophonic smartphone calls, which compress audio elements, resulting in flatter, less detailed sound.

3D Audio Experience

The introduction of immersive audio and video technology will bring 3D audio to phone calls, allowing users to experience sound as if they were in the same room with the other person.

"It is the biggest leap forward in the live voice calling experience since the introduction of monophonic telephony audio used in smartphones and PCs today," commented Jenni Lukander, president of Nokia Technologies.

The Historic Call

The historic call was made with Stefan Lindström, Finland's Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies. This call showcased the potential of the technology, using a regular smartphone over a public 5G network.

The ability to use existing devices highlights the technology's immediate applicability and its potential for widespread adoption.

Standardization and Implementation

"This is now becoming standardized," said Lukander in an interview, "so network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products."

This standardization is crucial for the technology's integration into the mainstream market, ensuring compatibility across different devices and networks.

Enhancing Conference Calls

In addition to enhancing person-to-person calls, this technology can significantly improve conference calls.

According to Jyri Huopaniemi, head of audio research at Nokia Technologies, the immersive audio can separate the voices of participants based on their spatial locations, making it easier to distinguish between different speakers.

Technological Requirements

Most modern smartphones already possess at least two microphones, which are sufficient for implementing this technology.

These microphones can transmit the spatial characteristics of a call in real time, allowing for an immersive audio experience without the need for significant hardware upgrades.

Integration with 5G Advanced Standard

The immersive audio and video technology is set to become part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard. Nokia aims to capitalize on this innovation through licensing opportunities, although widespread availability of the technology may take a few years.

This forward-looking approach underscores Nokia's commitment to driving technological advancements in the telecommunications industry.

Conclusion

Nokia's breakthrough in immersive audio and video technology represents a significant advancement in the realm of live voice calling. By enhancing the clarity and spatial quality of phone calls, this technology promises to transform how we communicate.

As it becomes standardized and integrated into 5G networks, we can expect a future where phone conversations feel more natural and immersive, bridging the gap between digital and face-to-face interactions.