GSA confirms approaching 100 mobile networks offer HD voice service
A new report from the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) confirms the growing importance of HD voice service for mobile network operators around the world. The number of mobile operators offering HD voice service increased by 48% in 2013.
The Mobile HD voice: Global Update report published by GSA on January 3, 2014 confirms that 93 operators have commercially launched HD voice services on mobile networks in 66 countries.
The progress of mobile HD voice in 2013 was impressive. 30 operators commercially launched HD voice on mobile networks in 2013, which increased by 21 (i.e. 47%) the number of countries where mobile HD voice service is available.
Mobile HD voice service uses Adaptive Multi Rate Wideband (W-AMR) technology, enabling high-quality voice calls in supporting mobile networks and an improved user experience for calls between mobile phones supporting the feature, and can be offered on several network technologies including GSM, WCDMA-HSPA and LTE.
Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “HD voice is particularly widespread Europe, being available on mobile networks in over 85% of the 28 Member countries of the European Union, for example. However, HD voice service extends to mobile networks in most other regions of the world too.”
20 countries have at least 2 mobile HD voice networks and enabling interconnection between competing networks for end-to-end HD voice calling is a priority for the industry in 2014. Deploying cross-network national interconnectivity for HD voice calling will fuel further growth, as will the enabling international roaming HD voice services.
More progress is also expected this year on handling of international HD voice calls, and for HD voice calling between fixed and mobile networks. GSA expects that the stunning experience of HD voice calling will become a mainstream mobile user experience in 2014.
From the first service launch in 2009, HD voice is now commercially launched in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Rep., Denmark, Dominican Rep., Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, and the USA.
The breakdown of network types that offer commercial HD voice service today is:
On 3G/HSPA-only networks = 81 operators
On both HSPA and GSM networks = 5 operators
On GSM-only networks = 2 operators
LTE (VoLTE) networks = 5 operators
Total = 93 operators
The number of HD voice compatible products continues to rise, with at least 250 products being officially announced by leading manufacturers including Acer, AETA Audio Systems, Apple, Blackberry, Gigabyte, Glensound, HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Pantech, Samsung, Sony, TCL (includes Alcatel brand), TechFaith, and ZTE. Depending on the model, compatible phones are available for use on 3G/HSPA, GSM or LTE networks.
Operator commitment to providing voice service for users on their LTE networks (VoLTE) has significantly strengthened as network coverage improves, and smartphone penetration and usage have increased. In the report GSA lists more than 30 operators who have committed to VoLTE deployments or trials. VoLTE technology is maturing. One of the mobile operators in South Korea, for example, currently provides 26 VoLTE-capable terminals for its VoLTE/HD voice service.
Log in to the GSA website to download Mobile HD Voice: Global Update report (January 3, 2014) via http://www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers
Information about available devices is contained in the HD Voice Phones report also via http://www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers
Not yet a registered GSA website user? it only takes a minute to sign up at http://www.gsacom.com/php/register_form
Some phones may be operator specific, or not available for use on all HD Voice mobile networks or in all markets. Activation of the W-AMR codec may be required.
About GSA
GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) represents leading GSM, 3G/WCDMA-HSPA and LTE suppliers, delivering trusted own-researched surveys, reports, facts, stats, objective analysis and information confirming and explaining mobile communications technology and market developments, trends, evolution and opportunities.
Website: www.gsacom.com
Mobile HD Voice Zone: www.gsacom.com/hdvoice
HD Voice (W-AMR) LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?=&gid=3032759
GSA LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2313721
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gsacom
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Global-mobile-Suppliers-Association-GSA/123462771012551
