SwissQual, the independent Swiss network quality measurement company, is the first to announce a complete test system for Wideband speech coding technology. This comprises new versions of SwissQual’s industry standard audio quality algorithms, as well as fully integrated AMR-WB phones, audio grabbing hardware and software, test audio signals and post processing software.
AMR Wideband holds out the promise of significantly improved “CD quality” sound to subscribers. This improved quality is expected to make conversations more comfortable and enjoyable for subscribers and therefore is also expected to lead to higher voice revenues for operators. It is also expected to boost the downloaded music and ringtone industry. However Wideband Mobile also poses a challenge for operators because they need to ensure that subscribers are not disappointed by what they actually experience.
Says Pero Juric, SwissQual VP of Product Management: “The superior quality of Wideband Mobile will be an enormous competitive advantage for the first operators to implement it. However they must be careful that they do not disappoint their subscribers. As for all new network technologies, care needs to be taken to ensure that the actual delivered quality is as good as subscribers expect.”
SwissQual’s ongoing investment in fundamental research, especially in the human perception of quality, has meant that the company has been able to offer a complete Wideband Mobile solution ahead of other companies.
Says John May, SwissQual’s CEO: “Our work on quality assessment algorithms, in conjunction with the ITU, means that we are always at the forefront of developments. Unlike many other companies we are not reliant upon third party algorithms. This means that, not only do we usually have an algorithm ready for launch ahead of others, but also that we are able to commence testing of complete solutions much earlier and we also have full control and understanding of the underlying mechanism effecting voice and video quality. In other words, we are able to provide complete, fully prepared and fully tested systems well before most other companies and with a higher level or consistency and reliability”.
