Nokia has set a milestone in the evolution of mobile communication by making the world’s first phone call utilizing 3D spatial sound technology. This innovation promises to elevate the auditory experience of phone calls powered by the upcoming Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS) codec.
Also Read: Apple Unveiled Apple Intelligence and Integrates ChatGPT into iPhones
Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark made the world’s first immersive phone call, an event in the evolution of telephony. The call featured three-dimensional audio, providing a lifelike experience as if the participants were in the same room.
The call was conducted between Lundmark and Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies.
The call utilized a standard smartphone over a public 5G network, showing the technology’s potential for wide adoption without the need for specialized hardware.
The historic call was conducted between Nokia’s CEO Pekka Lundmark and Stefan Lindström, Finland’s ambassador of digitalization and new technologies. This call was notable for using real cell networks.
The IVAS codec supports stereo and binaural audio, creating a 3D auditory environment using just two microphones. This codec is set to be a part of the 5G-Advanced standard also known as 5.5G.
Most existing smartphones already come equipped with the necessary hardware to support this technology, primarily the two microphones required for binaural audio capture.
The introduction of 3D spatial sound will bring a more natural listening experience to everyday phone calls and video communications.
The IVAS codec is expected to enhance not just voice calls but also video calls, augmenting the sense of presence and spatial awareness.
In augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), this technology will provide a more realistic and immersive experience.
Businesses and industrial sectors stand to benefit from this advancement, as it can improve remote communication and collaboration.
Enhanced audio quality can aid in clearer communication in noisy environments, crucial for sectors like construction, manufacturing and logistics.
While the technology is promising, it will take a few years for IVAS to be widely adopted in cell networks. The rollout is expected to start with the implementation in 5G-Advanced networks with the specification being finalized by the end of 2025.
The IVAS codec is becoming standardized, which means network providers, chipset manufacturers and handset makers can start integrating it into their products.
Nokia is one of the pioneers in this space, but the technology will require widespread industry collaboration for successful implementation.
Current cell phone calls are monophonic, compressing audio into a single channel, which often lacks depth and spatial cues. Spatial audio utilizes multiple channels to create a more lifelike auditory environment, making the sound appear to come from various directions.
Also Read: Canon Unveils EOS C400 Cinema Camera with 6K Full-Frame Recording
One of the primary requirements for utilizing the IVAS codec is that devices must have at least two microphones, which is already common in many smartphones.
Network support and infrastructure upgrades are crucial to fully realize the potential of 3D spatial sound in telephony.
Spatial audio has already found applications in music streaming and entertainment with services like Apple Music and Netflix offering enhanced audio experiences.
Traditional monophonic calls compress audio resulting in a flat, less detailed sound. The new technology uses 3D audio to simulate spatial awareness, where users can perceive sounds from different directions and distances.
The innovation relies on the 3GPP Immersive Video and Audio Services (IVAS) codec, which enables the real-time transmission of spatial audio using multiple microphones found in most modern smartphones.
This technology is part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard, which promises to enhance the capacity and capability of current 5G networks.
Callers can enjoy a more realistic conversation, where the spatial characteristics of the sound allow them to feel as if they are in the same physical space.
In a conference setting, voices can be spatially separated, making it easier to identify and focus on individual speakers based on their virtual locations within the call.
Most smartphones are equipped with at least two microphones and can implement this technology, allowing for real-time transmission of spatial characteristics without additional hardware requirements.
The technology is in the process of becoming standardized, meaning network providers, chipset manufacturers and handset manufacturers can start incorporating it into their products.
The technology is expected to have applications beyond personal calls including enhancing the quality of remote meetings, improving user experiences in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and revolutionizing interactions within the metaverse.
Pekka Lundmark, CEO of Nokia stating, “We have demonstrated the future of voice calls,” and highlighted the historical context by referencing his presence during the first 2G call in 1991.
Jyri Huopaniemi, Head of Audio Research at Nokia Technologies pointed out the utility of immersive audio in conference calls, where spatial separation of voices can enhance clarity and engagement.
The IVAS codec is crucial for transmitting spatial audio data in real-time, leveraging existing smartphone hardware to create audio experience.
The technology’s dependence on the upcoming 5G Advanced standard means it will require widespread adoption of this network upgrade for optimal performance.
The process of standardizing this technology involves collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including telecom operators, hardware manufacturers and regulatory bodies, which could influence the speed of its widespread deployment.
Also Read: Panasonic Announces Lumix GH7, A Camera with Unparalleled Features
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25485021/nokia_spatial_audio_call.png)
