Nokia CEO Made World’s First Immersive Audio, Video Call

In a groundbreaking moment for telecommunications, Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark has made the world’s first phone call using “immersive audio and video” technology. This innovative advancement promises to revolutionize how we experience voice calls, offering three-dimensional sound that makes interactions feel more lifelike. “We have demonstrated the future of voice calls,” Lundmark declared, highlighting Nokia’s role in pushing the boundaries of telecommunication technology.

Current smartphone calls use monophonic audio, which compresses all audio elements together, resulting in a flatter and less detailed sound. In contrast, the new immersive audio technology brings 3D sound to the forefront. As explained by Jenni Lukander, president of Nokia Technologies, “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.”

This innovative technology ensures that callers can hear each other as if they were in the same room, enhancing the overall experience of voice calls. The technology was demonstrated in a call between Lundmark and Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies, showcasing its potential to transform communication.

The call was made using a regular smartphone over a public 5G network, indicating the technology’s accessibility and practical application. According to Lukander, “This is now becoming standardised … so the network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products.”

Nokia’s immersive audio and video technology is a part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard. It utilizes the multiple microphones found in most modern smartphones to transmit real-time spatial characteristics of a call, providing a more immersive audio experience.

Jyri Huopaniemi, head of audio research at Nokia Technologies, noted that the technology has broader applications beyond personal calls. In conference calls, for example, participants’ voices can be separated based on their spatial locations, making it easier to distinguish between different speakers and enhancing the clarity of discussions.

While the technology is still in the early stages of implementation, Nokia is optimistic about its potential. Licensing opportunities are being explored, and although it may take a few years for the technology to become widely available, the future looks promising for immersive audio and video calls.

As Nokia leads the charge in this new era of telecommunication, the company continues to build on its legacy of innovation, dating back to the first 2G call made in 1991. With immersive audio and video technology, Nokia is again at the forefront of revolutionizing communication.