We’ve had some indication that Orange planned to expand its “HD Voice” technology beyond the hot testbed of Moldova sometime in the coming year, and it looks like the carrier is now starting to get a bit more specific about when the UK will finally have an alternative to standard definition calls. Apparently, Orange will begin trials of the new and improved, 3G-facilitated service early in the new year, and fully roll it out along with a “range of handsets” before the end of the year. Just what can you expect from HD voice? Why, it will make it “sound as if callers are actually in the same room,” according to Orange UK chief executive Tom Alexander, who further added that “HD voice really does inject a level of innovation into mobile phone calls,” and that “once people have tried it, they won’t want to go back.”
Update: Orange has now pushed out a press release further confirming that trials will begin in the UK early in the new year, with a nationwide rollout due “later in 2010.” In related news, DigiTimes is reporting that Foxconn has landed large orders for Android-powered handsets from Orange, although Foxconn itself has issued something of a denial on the matter.
Orange plans to bring ‘HD Voice’ calls to UK next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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