NAIROBI, Kenya- Nokia has just unveiled a technology that promises to revolutionize the way we experience voice calls.
During a recent demonstration, Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark made a phone call using “immersive audio and video” technology, delivering three-dimensional sound that makes interactions more lifelike than ever.
This leap forward aims to transform the flat, monophonic sound of current calls into a rich, 3D audio experience.
“We have demonstrated the future of voice calls,” Lundmark announced.
This innovation marks the biggest advancement in live voice calling since the introduction of monophonic telephony audio used in today’s smartphones and PCs.
Immersive Audio: A Closer Look
The new technology, known as the Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS) codec, is part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard.
This codec brings a three-dimensional sound experience, making conversations feel more engaging and realistic.
Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, highlighted the significance of this development, emphasizing its potential to enhance the clarity and detail of voice calls.
The immersive call was made using a regular smartphone over a public 5G network, demonstrating the practicality and accessibility of this technology.
Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies, was on the other end of the call, showcasing the real-world application of IVAS.
Broader Applications and Future Rollout
While this technology promises a significant upgrade for personal calls, its potential extends to conference calls as well.
According to Jyri Huopaniemi, head of audio research at Nokia Technologies, the spatial separation of participants’ voices based on their locations can vastly improve the clarity and manageability of group calls.
This capability could be a game-changer for business communications and virtual meetings.
Most modern smartphones already have the necessary hardware—at least two microphones—to support this technology. However, the full rollout of the 5G Advanced standard, and widespread adoption of the IVAS codec, is expected to take a few years.
This timeframe includes securing the necessary licensing agreements and ensuring network compatibility.
Despite the wait, the introduction of immersive audio calls marks a significant step towards a more dynamic and engaging digital communication landscape. Nokia and its partners in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) are not just focused on smartphones; they envision this technology enhancing extended reality and metaverse applications as well.
