Clarity of phonecalls

ianradioian · 06-05-2016, 09:42

Hello all; I'm asking a query actually- Ive noticed that when Im on the phone to mates ( we all have samsung galaxy phones of different ranges, or iPhone ranges) the quality of the calls is good but sometime with an exceptionally clear tone , as if the signal or frequency is improved. This seems quite random but happens often. Why is this? Are the phones making calls via a different route, or something?

Esot-eric · 06-05-2016, 10:16

Depending on the phone models and networks you and the friend are using you might end up making calls using HD Voice.

nigelbb · 06-05-2016, 10:21

My top tip is to use WhatsApp to make voice calls as the quality is vastly better than a regular call. Other similar VOIP apps like Facetime will also deliver similar improved audio quality & of course they are all free.

de525ma · 06-05-2016, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianradioian

Hello all; I'm asking a query actually- Ive noticed that when Im on the phone to mates ( we all have samsung galaxy phones of different ranges, or iPhone ranges) the quality of the calls is good but sometime with an exceptionally clear tone , as if the signal or frequency is improved. This seems quite random but happens often. Why is this? Are the phones making calls via a different route, or something?

If both of you are on the same network, and on 3G, you will be using HD Voice.

d123 · 06-05-2016, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigelbb

My top tip is to use WhatsApp to make voice calls as the quality is vastly better than a regular call.

I can't say I've ever noticed the audio quality on Whatsapp to be anywhere near HD Voice...

corf · 06-05-2016, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by de525ma

If both of you are on the same network, and on 3G, you will be using HD Voice.

Have o2 moved from "really bad codec" to HD voice yet then?

My general rule has been - if the phone quality is bad - the other end is on the o2 terrible voice codec.

moox · 06-05-2016, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by corf

Have o2 moved from "really bad codec" to HD voice yet then?

My general rule has been - if the phone quality is bad - the other end is on the o2 terrible voice codec.

O2 has turned on HD Voice, though I'm not sure how well it works in practice. I've noticed that when I use O2, it has the habit of moving down to 2G for voice calls - I don't know if it would do that when both sides can do HD voice and there is adequate 3G signal available.

jchamier · 06-05-2016, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by de525ma

If both of you are on the same network, and on 3G, you will be using HD Voice.

with a new enough phone, Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4 & 4s both cannot do HD Voice. Don't think Galaxy S3 can either. S4 probably does.

moox · 06-05-2016, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

with a new enough phone, Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4 & 4s both cannot do HD Voice. Don't think Galaxy S3 can either. S4 probably does.

The iPhone 4S certainly can't but I was under the impression that the S2 can?

jchamier · 06-05-2016, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

The iPhone 4S certainly can't but I was under the impression that the S2 can?

Can't remember!

Orbitalzone · 06-05-2016, 19:12

HD voice is pretty good and real leap from standard call quality. I was amazed when my cheapo Moto G 1st gen supported it and a call to my wife (also an a Moto G) sounded like she was in the same room... (she was oblivious to the improved quality!)

Wiki says S2 onwards supports it.

swb1964 · 06-05-2016, 22:09

So which networks use HD voice?

moox · 06-05-2016, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by swb1964

So which networks use HD voice?

All of them have it, but AFAIK you can't make cross-network calls at the moment.

prking · 06-05-2016, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigelbb

My top tip is to use WhatsApp to make voice calls as the quality is vastly better than a regular call. Other similar VOIP apps like Facetime will also deliver similar improved audio quality & of course they are all free.

I agree, Whatsapp calls are very much clearer than even HD voice. As are facebook messenger. It's not surprising as the technology is years ahead of HD voice.

InfamousTeal · 06-05-2016, 23:29

Even just vodafone upgrading their antennas in this area (which, from planning apps, I think were installed in 2000) has made a huge difference to call quality, to any network. Those old antennas were horrendous

jchamier · 06-05-2016, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfamousTeal

Even just vodafone upgrading their antennas in this area (which, from planning apps, I think were installed in 2000) has made a huge difference to call quality, to any network. Those old antennas were horrendous

They may have been fine in 2000 but rain and weather have rusted many. So replacement is needed. One reason for the poles with fibre glass covers over antennas.

InfamousTeal · 06-05-2016, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

They may have been fine in 2000 but rain and weather have rusted many. So replacement is needed. One reason for the poles with fibre glass covers over antennas.

Exactly. How those things still actually handled calls is beyond me. They were installed and meant for the tiny little Sagem, Sony Ericsson etc phones in 2000, and were handling calls on iPhone 6Ss 16 years later, up until last week, somehow.

swb1964 · 07-05-2016, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

All of them have it, but AFAIK you can't make cross-network calls at the moment.

OK thanks.

One last question. Does HD voice work if you are calling mobile to landline or is it just for same- network mobile calls?

Mark C · 07-05-2016, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

All of them have it, but AFAIK you can't make cross-network calls at the moment.

Anyone know the plans for that to happen ?

Orbitalzone · 07-05-2016, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfamousTeal

Exactly. How those things still actually handled calls is beyond me. They were installed and meant for the tiny little Sagem, Sony Ericsson etc phones in 2000, and were handling calls on iPhone 6Ss 16 years later, up until last week, somehow.

It's all just radio signals and providing the antennas aren't water ingressed or damaged they'll probably be working more or less as well as they were from new. A phone signal from a 2001 phone is treated no differently than from an iphone6 as far as antenna and the associated signal is concerned. Of course the internal power amplifiers and other electronics could be suffering but they may have had upgrades over the years whilst still using the same old antennas.

nigelbb · 07-05-2016, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by swb1964

Does HD voice work if you are calling mobile to landline or is it just for same- network mobile calls?

No. It cannot as the landline audio bandwidth is throttled at about 4K. Standard mobile phone quality matches landline i.e. pretty poor.

Mark C · 07-05-2016, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigelbb

No. It cannot as the landline audio bandwidth is throttled at about 4K. Standard mobile phone quality matches landline i.e. pretty poor.

But perhaps it could interface with Voip landlines ?

moox · 07-05-2016, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark C

Anyone know the plans for that to happen ?

I suspect it would have to wait for the telcos to start using VoIP to interconnect between each other, rather than traditional TDM stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark C

But perhaps it could interface with Voip landlines ?

Theoretically yes, but until a very big name jumps into the world of VoIP that's not likely to happen, because of the interconnection issue. e.g. it'll have to wait until BT or Virgin start using VoIP in a big way to provide phone services to consumers.

DevonBloke · 07-05-2016, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfamousTeal

Even just vodafone upgrading their antennas in this area (which, from planning apps, I think were installed in 2000) has made a huge difference to call quality, to any network. Those old antennas were horrendous

Er, just replacing an antenna will not make call quality better.
Comms between your phone and the antenna are digital whether calls or data.
As long as the data is getting through then the call quality will be the same regardless of whether the antennas are really old or even half rusted out and hanging off the mast as long as they are connected.
The better quality will be either 2G coding going from half rate to full rate (although I thought Vodafone did full rate everywhere now anyway) or the introduction of HD voice over 3G. HD voice though as has been said will only work to another 3G connected Vodafone handset.
Better quality antenna will only affect coverage range and data speed, not call quality since the maximum bit rate for a full rate HD voice call is about 24Kbps.

jchamier · 08-05-2016, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Better quality antenna will only affect coverage range and data speed, not call quality since the maximum bit rate for a full rate HD voice call is about 24Kbps.

Better communications between handset and base station could reduce noise, increase the SNR margin and reduce repeated packets on the digital data stream. This could potentially allow 3G to remain in use for voice where previously calls would fall back to 2G. Then HD Voice can work over 3G.

Just a thought.

06-05-2016, 09:42	#1
ianradioian Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 24,347	Clarity of phonecalls Hello all; I'm asking a query actually- Ive noticed that when Im on the phone to mates ( we all have samsung galaxy phones of different ranges, or iPhone ranges) the quality of the calls is good but sometime with an exceptionally clear tone , as if the signal or frequency is improved. This seems quite random but happens often. Why is this? Are the phones making calls via a different route, or something?

06-05-2016, 10:16	#2
Esot-eric Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,173	Depending on the phone models and networks you and the friend are using you might end up making calls using HD Voice.

06-05-2016, 10:21	#3
nigelbb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 834	My top tip is to use WhatsApp to make voice calls as the quality is vastly better than a regular call. Other similar VOIP apps like Facetime will also deliver similar improved audio quality & of course they are all free.

06-05-2016, 12:40	#4
de525ma Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 787	Quote: Originally Posted by ianradioian Hello all; I'm asking a query actually- Ive noticed that when Im on the phone to mates ( we all have samsung galaxy phones of different ranges, or iPhone ranges) the quality of the calls is good but sometime with an exceptionally clear tone , as if the signal or frequency is improved. This seems quite random but happens often. Why is this? Are the phones making calls via a different route, or something? If both of you are on the same network, and on 3G, you will be using HD Voice.

06-05-2016, 13:30	#5
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by nigelbb My top tip is to use WhatsApp to make voice calls as the quality is vastly better than a regular call. I can't say I've ever noticed the audio quality on Whatsapp to be anywhere near HD Voice...

06-05-2016, 14:32	#6
corf Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,458	Quote: Originally Posted by de525ma If both of you are on the same network, and on 3G, you will be using HD Voice. Have o2 moved from "really bad codec" to HD voice yet then? My general rule has been - if the phone quality is bad - the other end is on the o2 terrible voice codec.

06-05-2016, 14:45	#7
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by corf Have o2 moved from "really bad codec" to HD voice yet then? My general rule has been - if the phone quality is bad - the other end is on the o2 terrible voice codec. O2 has turned on HD Voice, though I'm not sure how well it works in practice. I've noticed that when I use O2, it has the habit of moving down to 2G for voice calls - I don't know if it would do that when both sides can do HD voice and there is adequate 3G signal available.

06-05-2016, 17:45	#8
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by de525ma If both of you are on the same network, and on 3G, you will be using HD Voice. with a new enough phone, Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4 & 4s both cannot do HD Voice. Don't think Galaxy S3 can either. S4 probably does.

06-05-2016, 17:48	#9
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by jchamier with a new enough phone, Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4 & 4s both cannot do HD Voice. Don't think Galaxy S3 can either. S4 probably does. The iPhone 4S certainly can't but I was under the impression that the S2 can?

06-05-2016, 18:13	#10
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by moox The iPhone 4S certainly can't but I was under the impression that the S2 can? Can't remember!

06-05-2016, 19:12	#11
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	HD voice is pretty good and real leap from standard call quality. I was amazed when my cheapo Moto G 1st gen supported it and a call to my wife (also an a Moto G) sounded like she was in the same room... (she was oblivious to the improved quality!) Wiki says S2 onwards supports it.

06-05-2016, 22:09	#12
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	So which networks use HD voice?

06-05-2016, 22:15	#13
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by swb1964 So which networks use HD voice? All of them have it, but AFAIK you can't make cross-network calls at the moment.

06-05-2016, 22:17	#14
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by nigelbb My top tip is to use WhatsApp to make voice calls as the quality is vastly better than a regular call. Other similar VOIP apps like Facetime will also deliver similar improved audio quality & of course they are all free. I agree, Whatsapp calls are very much clearer than even HD voice. As are facebook messenger. It's not surprising as the technology is years ahead of HD voice.

06-05-2016, 23:29	#15
InfamousTeal Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 303	Even just vodafone upgrading their antennas in this area (which, from planning apps, I think were installed in 2000) has made a huge difference to call quality, to any network. Those old antennas were horrendous

06-05-2016, 23:31	#16
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by InfamousTeal Even just vodafone upgrading their antennas in this area (which, from planning apps, I think were installed in 2000) has made a huge difference to call quality, to any network. Those old antennas were horrendous They may have been fine in 2000 but rain and weather have rusted many. So replacement is needed. One reason for the poles with fibre glass covers over antennas.

06-05-2016, 23:34	#17
InfamousTeal Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 303	Quote: Originally Posted by jchamier They may have been fine in 2000 but rain and weather have rusted many. So replacement is needed. One reason for the poles with fibre glass covers over antennas. Exactly. How those things still actually handled calls is beyond me. They were installed and meant for the tiny little Sagem, Sony Ericsson etc phones in 2000, and were handling calls on iPhone 6Ss 16 years later, up until last week, somehow.

07-05-2016, 07:49	#18
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	Quote: Originally Posted by moox All of them have it, but AFAIK you can't make cross-network calls at the moment. OK thanks. One last question. Does HD voice work if you are calling mobile to landline or is it just for same- network mobile calls?

07-05-2016, 08:00	#19
Mark C Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hampshire Posts: 8,102	Quote: Originally Posted by moox All of them have it, but AFAIK you can't make cross-network calls at the moment. Anyone know the plans for that to happen ?

07-05-2016, 09:34	#20
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	Quote: Originally Posted by InfamousTeal Exactly. How those things still actually handled calls is beyond me. They were installed and meant for the tiny little Sagem, Sony Ericsson etc phones in 2000, and were handling calls on iPhone 6Ss 16 years later, up until last week, somehow. It's all just radio signals and providing the antennas aren't water ingressed or damaged they'll probably be working more or less as well as they were from new. A phone signal from a 2001 phone is treated no differently than from an iphone6 as far as antenna and the associated signal is concerned. Of course the internal power amplifiers and other electronics could be suffering but they may have had upgrades over the years whilst still using the same old antennas.

07-05-2016, 09:57	#21
nigelbb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 834	Quote: Originally Posted by swb1964 Does HD voice work if you are calling mobile to landline or is it just for same- network mobile calls? No. It cannot as the landline audio bandwidth is throttled at about 4K. Standard mobile phone quality matches landline i.e. pretty poor.

DS Forums

Clarity of phonecalls

07-05-2016, 10:14	#22
Mark C Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hampshire Posts: 8,102	Quote: Originally Posted by nigelbb No. It cannot as the landline audio bandwidth is throttled at about 4K. Standard mobile phone quality matches landline i.e. pretty poor. But perhaps it could interface with Voip landlines ?

07-05-2016, 14:53	#23
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by Mark C Anyone know the plans for that to happen ? I suspect it would have to wait for the telcos to start using VoIP to interconnect between each other, rather than traditional TDM stuff Quote: Originally Posted by Mark C But perhaps it could interface with Voip landlines ? Theoretically yes, but until a very big name jumps into the world of VoIP that's not likely to happen, because of the interconnection issue. e.g. it'll have to wait until BT or Virgin start using VoIP in a big way to provide phone services to consumers.

07-05-2016, 23:56	#24
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by InfamousTeal Even just vodafone upgrading their antennas in this area (which, from planning apps, I think were installed in 2000) has made a huge difference to call quality, to any network. Those old antennas were horrendous Er, just replacing an antenna will not make call quality better. Comms between your phone and the antenna are digital whether calls or data. As long as the data is getting through then the call quality will be the same regardless of whether the antennas are really old or even half rusted out and hanging off the mast as long as they are connected. The better quality will be either 2G coding going from half rate to full rate (although I thought Vodafone did full rate everywhere now anyway) or the introduction of HD voice over 3G. HD voice though as has been said will only work to another 3G connected Vodafone handset. Better quality antenna will only affect coverage range and data speed, not call quality since the maximum bit rate for a full rate HD voice call is about 24Kbps.

08-05-2016, 11:55	#25
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Better quality antenna will only affect coverage range and data speed, not call quality since the maximum bit rate for a full rate HD voice call is about 24Kbps. Better communications between handset and base station could reduce noise, increase the SNR margin and reduce repeated packets on the digital data stream. This could potentially allow 3G to remain in use for voice where previously calls would fall back to 2G. Then HD Voice can work over 3G. Just a thought.