GSA: HD voice calling on mobile networks is poised to enter the mainstream
August 15, 2013: Two new reports from the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) confirm the increasing traction that HD voice service is achieving with mobile network operators globally and with handset manufacturers.
The latest Mobile HD voice: Global Update report published by GSA this week confirms that 83 operators have commercially launched HD voice services on mobile networks in 61 countries. The number of mobile operators now providing HD voice service is 84% more than a year ago. HD voice service is widely available on mobile networks in all regions of the world.
Alan Hadden, President of GSA, said: “17 countries have 2 or more mobile networks offering HD voice service. Deploying cross-network national interconnectivity for HD voice calling will fuel further growth, as will enabling international roaming HD voice services. The stunning experience of HD voice calling could soon become a mainstream mobile user experience.”
The 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.
The breakdown of network types which offer commercial HD voice service today are as follows:
3G/HSPA networks = 76 operators
Both HSPA and GSM networks = 4 operators
GSM-only networks = 1 operator
LTE (VoLTE) networks = 2 operators
Total = 83 operators
From the first service launch in 2009, HD voice is now commercially launched in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, and the USA.
The number of HD voice compatible products has increased by 53% in the last 6 months. The related HD voice phones report from GSA, also published this week, confirms that 245 HD voice compatible phones are officially announced by 17 manufacturers: 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.
Log in to the GSA website to download Mobile HD Voice: Global Update report (August 13, 2013) via http://www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers
Information about available devices is contained in the HD Voice Phones report (August 9, 2013) 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
RSS Feed: www.gsacom.com/rss/gsanews
Mobile HD Voice Zone: www.gsacom.com/hdvoice
GSA LinkedIN group: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2313721
HD Voice (W-AMR) LinkedIN Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?=&gid=3032759
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gsacom
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Global-mobile-Suppliers-Association-GSA/123462771012551
