The technology, co-developed by Fraunhofer IIS, enables cellphone calls that create the feeling of being in the same room with the other participant in the conversation. In addition to measurably improved speech quality, EVS helps wireless providers to enhance network coverage, especially inside buildings. Cellphones that currently support EVS include the LG G5, Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge, Sony Xperia X Performance, Sharp AQUOS Zeta, and Sony Xperia XZ.

EVS enhances speech services by covering the entire frequency range audible to humans. While the bandwidth for today’s cellphone calls amounts to a maximum of 7 kilohertz, and 3.5 kilohertz for the majority of the time, EVS enables transmissions up to 16 kilohertz and beyond; which is the reason Vodafone Germany called its EVS-based service “Vodafone Crystal Clear®”.

EVS supports bit rates from 5.9 kbit/s up to 128 kbit/s, super wide band with Full HD Voice quality is supported starting at 9.6 kbit/s. At common mobile data rates of 13.2 and 24.4 kbit/s the new standard delivers unprecedented speech quality that is cleaner and clearer. This allows carriers to optimize the performance and sound quality of their networks as required by their service.

In addition, unintelligible phone calls due to packet loss in poor reception are becoming less likely with EVS. Packet loss can occur in mobile network services such as VoLTE and VoWiFi due to difficult network conditions. EVS reduces their impact by using one-of-a-kind tools. Other content, such as music, is also transmitted in Hi-Fi quality. Furthermore, EVS is backwards compatible with AMR-WB, allowing the audio signal to switch seamlessly between VoLTE (4G) and circuit switched networks (3G) when network conditions warrant a transition.

Visitors at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 27 to March 2, 2017 will be able to experience the advantages of EVS with a demonstration of Vodafone Germany’s “Vodafone Crystal Clear®” service, as well as an EVS offline demo at booth 7G31.