I just had a call from Alex Harrowell (of Telco 2.0). Alex was on the floor of the Mobile World Congress so there was a lot of background noise and he was calling from a mobile device, specifically a Nokia N900. What's more, he was using Wi-Fi, something that's been highly marginal at previous MWCs. But this call sounded much better than the typical mobile phone call ! It was excellent.
The difference: Alex was using the Skype client for the N900, so our call was Skype-to-Skype, Barcelona to Boston, and thus it used wideband audio, a.k.a. HD Voice. Yes, there was background noise from the conference floor, but Alex's voice was completely clear and stood out from the background noise. Also, the background was distinct enough that I felt like I was on the floor with Alex.
Mobile HD voice is significantly better than most traditional phone calls and much better than any other mobile call.
Mobile HD: Operator-provided or via Skype?
As I've commented in the past, mobile operators in the EU (starting with Orange in the UK, Belgium and France) are promising to roll out mobile HD voice on their networks in 2010. But so far, only Orange Moldova has actually launched (in September 2009).
With the announcement that Apple is no longer blocking VoIP applications on the iPhone over 3G, it's likely we'll see Skype and others show up an ever increasing range of mobile devices.
Mobile operator provided HD Voice might eventually reach a wider range of mobile devices than Skype over Wi-Fi or 3G, but mobile operators better get cracking. Otherwise, they might just be left in the dust.
The question is, what's in it for them either way ?
Posted by: Benoit Felten | February 16, 2010 at 12:54 PM
That's how I've been using my N900 since November 09...it's strictly a skype phone for me. Pair that with skype in/out to make/receive regular calls to landline/cell phones, and also combine it with Google Voice for phone number aggregration and free SMS and you have quite an interesting handset.
Posted by: CJM | February 16, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Mobile HD voice is significantly better than most traditional phone calls and much better than any other mobile call.
Posted by: refurbished computers | February 18, 2010 at 05:36 AM
Skype confirmed in early February that we should see Skype for iPhone running over 3G "really soon now". And one feature that will be supported in this release is the SILK codec to provide "a quality user experience".
More here: http://voiceontheweb.biz/2010/02/coming-real-soon-now-skype-for-iphone-over-3g/
Posted by: Jim Courtney | March 14, 2010 at 09:51 PM
Mobile HD voice is significantly better than most traditional phone calls and much better than any other mobile call.Pair that with skype in/out to make/receive regular calls to landline/cell phones, and also combine it with Google Voice for phone number aggregration and free SMS and you have quite an interesting handset.
========================
mary scott
Posted by: mobile phones | April 28, 2010 at 02:10 AM
HD range is the wide range and it's going to be amazing and awesome, which will help all mobile customers with really amazing way to reach other friends and family easily
Posted by: Cheap Computer | May 10, 2010 at 09:47 AM
I think it sound really good
Posted by: Vimax | May 31, 2010 at 01:56 AM
HD - High Defination comes with much more clear and wide picture range which gives you an option of getting yourself an amazing quality to see and to hear.
Posted by: Cheap Computer | June 07, 2010 at 07:58 AM
I once used Skype in my laptop, the call quality is not so good, now I still have balance in my account, I use my cell phone to make phone calls.
Posted by: VoIP software | July 27, 2010 at 11:30 PM
Nice article, I am a big time fan of your site, keep up the nice work, and I will be a frequent visitor for a very long time.
Posted by: generadores electricos | August 03, 2010 at 05:47 AM