Everything You Need to Know About HD Voice and Wideband Calling

A legacy POTS network delivers audio using theexperience for conference calls, while also offering
300-3400 Hz frequency range. With VoIP, thesuperior IVR functionality and more accurate
concept of G.711 codec got introduced and ittext-to-speech solutions.
offered a bandwidth of 64 kbps. While that's aIt provides a far superior natural sound and leads
significant improvement over the audio qualityto increased participation in a conversation. Many
offered by POTS, there's still massive scope forvendors talk about bringing VoIP to a level where
improvement.it can offer the same audio quality as that of a
It's very challenging to recognize fricative soundsface-to-face conversation. Hi-definition audio is an
like 's' and 'f' in POTS as well as VoIP networks asimportant step in achieving this goal.
they need higher frequencies. Similarly, it is nearlyWhat's required?
impossible to clearly identify the fundamentalHD Voice relies on the wide range of frequencies
resonance of spoken vowels in POTS and VoIPto enhance the audio experience. Therefore, it's
networks as it requires extremely lowimportant to have a good quality IP network with
frequencies. Therefore, there's a strong need forhigh bandwidth and low latency. As far as the
a voice technology which supports a large rangeunderlying network is concerned, wideband audio
of frequencies.should work on any high speed network such as
What is HD Voice?HSPA, WiMax or LTE.
High Definition Voice is a wideband technology thatFurther, the user devices need to be HD-capable.
delivers audio in the range of 30-7000 Hz andA high quality microphone which can record audio
sounds more 'natural' as compared to POTS orat 7 KHz is recommended.
G.711 voice. The explanation for this better audioHD Capable Hosted VoIP
quality is that wideband audio makes use of lowerMany leading Hosted VoIP providers offer
and upper frequency limits to produce morewideband calling capabilities in their PBX solutions.
accurate audio signals.HD Voice is a boon from a business perspective.
Polycom, a leading voice communications providerIt takes the customer calling experience to an
has played an instrumental role in spreading thealtogether new level and helps in enhancing
word on this technology. Hi-def audio uses thecustomer satisfaction. For long office conference
G.722 codec that samples audio data at a rate ofcalls, wideband audio is invaluable as it makes the
16 KHz. AMR-WB (G.722.2) is also gaining inexperience less frustrating.
popularity and it provides HD voice at 24 Kbps.Pitfalls
However, unlike G.722, it's a patented technologyHD Voice is still at a nascent stage and it does
and is resource-crunching, thereby leading to ahave some pitfalls. As it supports a wider range
shorter device battery life.of frequencies, callers hear everything - a tap on
Ultimately, this technology is a win-win situationthe table, a click on the keyboard or even the
for providers as well as users. The audiocrunching noise of potato chips from the
experience is high quality and since it appearsneighboring cubicle. After all, the wider the
more interactive, the overall call experience will befrequency range, the more clearly it captures the
improved. This will lead to the gradual conversionsurrounding sounds.
to HD capable end user agents, and providersWrap-Up
which support the technology.There's no doubt that HD Voice is a true game
What's so special about HD Voice?changer for improving VoIP audio quality. The
Wideband audio has massive potential and it'smessage is loud and clear (like the technology
capable of completely transforming the useritself) - HD Voice is here to stay!