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T-Mobile Says 'HD Voice' is Live
Users on Select Phones to Notice Call Quality Improvements

As Broadband Reports reader johnnn See Profile first scooped back in December, T-Mobile has quietly been deploying their implementation of HD voice without much fanfare. Unlike upcoming versions of VoLTE, T-Mobile's implementation of HD voice doesn't eat batteries for breakfast, and it's also operating at a significantly lower bit rate (12.65kbps). As a result, calling it "HD" is probably a bit too generous, but it will mean call quality improvements for T-Mobile 4G users.

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"T-Mobile has announced that HD Voice is now available on its network nationwide, dramatically improving in-call voice quality for customers with capable smartphones," said the company at CES last week.

"Customers will hear a more true-to-life voice quality that’s fuller and more natural-sounding with significantly reduced background noise from street traffic, wind and crowd noise."

To notice the improved quality, both callers must be using a 4G-enabled phone. It's less of a battery drag because it uses the current circuit-switched UMTS radio interface for the call instead of IP-based transport. Meanwhile, T-Mobile is rumored to be just days away from an LTE launch in Las Vegas, with a follow up deployment in Kansas City. VoLTE, which should offer significantly better quality that T-Mobile's HD Voice offering, has seen delays for most carriers until at least 2014.
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GraysonPeddi
Grayson Peddie
join:2010-06-28
Tallahassee, FL

GraysonPeddi

Member

Not with Asterisk PBX, right?

Even if I let Asterisk do transcoding for phones that do not support AMR-WB?
brianiscool
join:2000-08-16
Tampa, FL

brianiscool

Member

4G

I noticed everywhere I go in Tampa it says 4G now. I have not seen it state 3G yet in my area. Good job T-Mobile just install new Towers.
BlueC
join:2009-11-26
Minneapolis, MN

BlueC

Member

Nice improvement

I've noticed it when calling other T-mobile subscribers (who also have a 4G phone). It's a very noticeable improvement. Similar to the difference between standard and HD on Polycom IP phones.

fuziwuzi
Not born yesterday
Premium Member
join:2005-07-01
Palm Springs, CA
Hitron EN2251
Nest H2D

fuziwuzi

Premium Member

Re: Nice improvement

According to the press release from T-Mobile, in order to experience HD Voice, both parties must be using HD Voice capable phones on the T-Mobile network. Here is from the press release: "To experience HD Voice, both parties on the call must use capable T-Mobile 4G smartphones such as the HTC One™ S, Nokia Astound and Samsung Galaxy S® III."
en103
join:2011-05-02

en103

Member

HD Voice, or just AMR-Full rate ?

This reminds me of AMR-Full rate, or Enhanced Full Rate.
Older Motorola gear (RAZR and V-series) as well as Nokia phones were able to have 'AMR-Half Rate disabled. This gave GREAT call quality (landline at least).
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: HD Voice, or just AMR-Full rate ?

This is AMR-WB. T-Mobile has only ever used AMR-FR anyway...in stark contrast to AMR-HR-toting AT&T.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: HD Voice, or just AMR-Full rate ?

Is that why I can barely understand AT&T cell phone customers?
Terabit
join:2008-12-19

Terabit

Member

Re: HD Voice, or just AMR-Full rate ?

Yes, as they use half rate 5kbps in most areas.
34764170 (banned)
join:2007-09-06
Etobicoke, ON

34764170 (banned)

Member

LTE

Whether using voice or not via VoLTE is a moot point IMO. LTE devices even using data are eating your batteries for breakfast anyway. Newer generations of LTE chipsets will be much more efficient for battery life and be within the phones carriers ultimately roll out VoLTE with.
Terabit
join:2008-12-19

Terabit

Member

Re: LTE

My LTE ipad seems to last a while.
34764170 (banned)
join:2007-09-06
Etobicoke, ON

34764170 (banned)

Member

Re: LTE

said by Terabit:

My LTE ipad seems to last a while.

Current generations of tablets do not last long enough. Still quite a ways to go.