Sprint Plots Improved Call Quality with HD Voice Systems

Sprint's status in the mobile phone world has often been seen, somewhat, as second-rate. It doesn't command the kind of network or name recognition or features or even often the same variety of handsets available as Verizon or AT&T. However Sprint isn't taking its current status lying down; it's planning a big push in the form of HD Voice, and this new functionality may give it an edge.

Where earlier, features like push-to-talk were a big deal, the growing importance of mobile data has rendered calling to only one small part of the total smartphone experience. This is gladly evidenced in recent discoveries of the dominance of the iPhone camera on places like Flickr; deep down, smartphones aren't just for making calls any more. And Sprint is out to shine in that particular segment of the market, offering up its HD Voice system with the launch of the HTC EVO 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution, latest standard in the mobile network technology) device.

HD Voice, which uses a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system and a new set of algorithms to provide more information about a call between devices, promises significant improvements in the perception of voice management. Early reports have recommended that, to all intents and purposes, users can hear a pronounced difference between call audio produced by normal channels, and that of HD Voice. Tone Software's ReliaTel 4.0 has been doing some impressive things in this space as then, offering the management of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) networks on several levels with an eye toward efficiency, something that would prove very useful in the establishment of an HD Voice network.

The way HD Voice works

Based on the way HD Voice works, still, it will face some challenges out of the gate. First, Sprint is actively working on improving its 4G network, which will be necessary to handle the extra information HD Voice requires to operate. So, rolling out the system will take some time to reach its fullest saturation. Second, not only does HD Voice require its users to have compatible devices at both ends of the conversation – both the sender and the receiver need HD Voice-capable devices to make the fullest difference – however the networks involved must as well be compatible, so, again, a full rollout will take some time.

Still, it's plain to see that Sprint is trying valiantly to get some competitive edge in the market, and that's a very good sign for Sprint shareholders. Offering HD Voice ahead of the others will prove an advantage; during there aren't too many people who base their phone buying decisions on who offers the best call quality, Sprint's unlimited data network doesn't hurt, and handset makers will likely go where people shop, so Sprint's additional features backed up by proper marketing initiatives should bring the handset makers Sprint needs as then. Sprint may not be the biggest dog in the fight, metaphorically speaking, however there's anyway you look at it plenty of fight in that dog.