In a statement on Monday, Nokia’s CEO Pekka Lundmark demonstrated a new technology called “immersive audio and video” during a phone call, which the company claims enhances call quality with lifelike three-dimensional sound, improving overall interaction.
Lundmark, who was present during the historic first 2G call in 1991, emphasized, “What we’ve just demonstrated is the very essence of the future for voice calls.”
In the realm of contemporary smartphone calls, audio is typically monophonic, compressing all elements into a uniform stream that lacks depth and detail. However, the advent of this groundbreaking technology signals a transformative shift. By harnessing 3D audio capabilities, callers will encounter a profound change: they’ll perceive sound as if they were physically situated with the other party. Every sound, whether it’s a gentle whisper or a distant rumble, will be reproduced with remarkable fidelity and spatial accuracy, transcending the limitations of conventional communication and creating a truly immersive auditory experience.
During the call between Nokia’s CEO and Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies, a pivotal moment unfolded in the advancement of this innovative technology.
In an interview, Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, highlighted the significance of this moment, stating, “This is now becoming standardized… so the network providers, chipset manufacturers, handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products.” Lukander’s words underscore the momentum gathering behind this technology’s adoption. As it transitions into a standardized format, it opens the doors for widespread integration across the telecommunications industry. This move not only facilitates seamless incorporation into existing infrastructure but also ensures compatibility across a wide array of network providers, chipsets, and handset manufacturers. Ultimately, this marks a crucial step towards making the enriched voice calling experience accessible to users globally, heralding a new era of immersive communication.
Nokia conducted the call using a standard smartphone, leveraging a public 5G network, showcasing the accessibility and practicality of this groundbreaking technology in real-world scenarios.
Jyri Huopaniemi, head of audio research at Nokia Technologies, highlighted the versatility of this innovation beyond individual conversations, stating, “Apart from person-to-person immersive calls, this can be used in conference calls where voices of participants can be separated based on their spatial locations.” This statement underscores the broad spectrum of applications for the technology, extending its utility beyond personal communication to professional settings such as business conferences. By spatially separating participants’ voices, this feature enhances clarity and comprehension, fostering more effective communication in group settings.
Furthermore, the executives emphasized the widespread compatibility of the technology with existing smartphone hardware. “A vast majority of smartphones have at least two microphones with which this technology can be implemented by transmitting in real-time the spatial characteristics of a call,” they stated. This acknowledgment highlights the accessibility of the technology, as it can be seamlessly integrated into most modern smartphones without requiring specialized hardware. Leveraging the spatial characteristics captured by multiple microphones, the technology enhances the immersive audio experience, ensuring compatibility and accessibility across a wide range of devices.
The showcased technology is a component of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard, positioning Nokia at the forefront of innovation in telecommunications. With an eye toward future commercialization, Nokia intends to pursue licensing opportunities associated with this technology. However, the executives acknowledge that widespread availability may take some time to materialize.
By aligning with the 5G Advanced standard, Nokia underscores its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of telecommunications. The technology showcased represents a significant leap forward in enhancing the capabilities of 5G networks, promising transformative advancements in communication quality and user experience.
While Nokia aims to capitalize on licensing opportunities associated with this technology, they also recognize that widespread implementation may require a period of adaptation and integration within the telecommunications industry. As such, it’s anticipated that it may take several years before the technology becomes widely available to consumers.
Nevertheless, Nokia’s proactive approach to innovation and strategic positioning within the 5G landscape bodes well for the eventual commercialization and adoption of this groundbreaking technology. As the telecommunications ecosystem evolves, Nokia is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of connectivity and communication.