StarHub to launch HD Voice calls tomorrow
SINGAPORE — StarHub is set to launch its High Definition (HD) Voice technology tomorrow.
SINGAPORE — StarHub is set to launch its High Definition (HD) Voice technology tomorrow.
It will be the first mobile operator in Singapore to complete the upgrade of its 3G mobile network with HD Voice, offering its customers with significantly improved sound quality for local voice calls, the info-telecommunications company said in a press release.
In a demonstration Monday, I was able to hear a marked difference in voice and audio quality with diminished ambient noise levels at a cafe and a office. However, it was not able to keep audio quality under breezy conditions. The technology offers a noise cancelling effect but it is not able to counter all noise levels, explained StarHub.
The service is free for subscribers (both callers and receivers) on the SmartSurf Lite, SmartSurf Value, SmartSurf Premium and SmartSurf Elite plans and use HD Voice capable handsets such as the Apple iPhone 5, BlackBerry Z10, LG Optimus G, Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE, Samsung Galaxy S III LTE and Sony Xperia Z. It will be switched on automatically tomorrow without any action on the subscriber’s part. If for some reason you want to opt out of the service, you may do so by calling its service hotline 1633.
Ms Nicole McCormick, Senior Analyst, Telco Strategy at market researcher Ovum said: “HD Voice is one of a number of measures we see operators putting into play as a sweetener to encourage customer loyalty.”
StarHub last month announced it will work together with alliance partner Vodafone to launch a new interoperable service that offers a single platform for users to make video calls, share photos and music.
HD Voice calls last longer than normal ones and leader to 45 per cent longer over-the-top (OTT) calls and up to 10 per cent longer calls on fixed line networks, said a BT Global Services executive in a report last year. This could lead to a revenue uplift of between five and 10 per cent and allow telcos to add sticker products.
BT projects at least a quarter of all international calls to be done in HD in three years. WITH AGENCIES