Claiming a first, Orange is extending interoperable high-definition (HD) voice services to international and roaming calls.
HD voice is accessible in several European countries but Orange now supports international high-definition HD voice calls between two operators on fixed and/or any mobile network.
Orange is making HD voice available wholesale for all operators using the Group’s international voice hub.
“HD voice has become a must-have service for operators and service providers that will enable them to increase their revenues and offer their customers significantly improved quality of service,” claimed Alexandre Pébereau, EVP, International Carriers, Orange.
The France-based operator manages the complexity of routing HD voice traffic across multiple networks for third party carriers and service providers using a single IP interconnection point and full IP routing.
End-to-end HD voice is based on AMR-WB and G722 protocols and is compatible with fixed and mobile networks.
Stephen Sale, principal analyst Analysys Mason, told Mobile Europe that by allowing international HD traffic to interconnect, Orange’s new service is a key enabler to making operator services more competitive.
“HD voice can differentiate the services of one network operator or services on a new network against previous generations (eg.VoLTE), or operator-provided services from over-the-top services like Skype,” he said.
“It is in international calls that operators have been worst hit. Widespread support in IP exchanges is required – operators need to interconnect HD voice ‘islands’. Orange’s new service is a major move forward in this regard.
“Operators still have some way to go in countering the disruptions from OS and application providers. HD voice is just one of the changes operators need to make to their portfolios,” he added.
A GSMA survey suggests approximately 40 percent of users would change calling behaviour making longer and/or more calls if HD quality is guaranteed.
However, Ovum analyst Jeremy Green told Mobile Europe that there are various obstacles across networks and international boundaries some of which are reduced by standards.
“It is very difficult to add value to voice generally,” he commented.
“HD voice is a pleasant surprise supporting remarkable quality but it is unlikely to happen very often.”