5G is being rolled out in countries all around the world and users are able to experience near gigabit speeds on their smartphones. But 5G was designed to bring about a more comprehensive upgrade to devices which includes significant improvements in voice and video calls too. VoNR (Voice over New Radio) is the next-generation version of VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and OPPO, in partnership with MediaTek and Ericsson has conducted the first VoNR Voice and Video call.
The current 5G networks are built around the existing 4G LTE infrastructure (Non-standalone networks). So your smartphones with 5G data support still use VoLTE for voice calls. However, network operators will soon start deploying SA (Standalone) network architecture for 5G networks which allows carriers and device makers to enable VoNR calls. OPPO’s official press release stated that the VoNR call made with its customized Dimensity 1000L smartphone (likely Reno3) had significantly “lower latency, improved sound quality and picture quality”. The company added that this will eventually lead to an “elevated overall experience for users”.
The 5G VoNR call was successfully carried out under a 5G SA network provided by Ericsson at its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. OPPO adds that “after dialing, the two phones connected almost instantly and then seamlessly switched to a high-definition video call with a single keypress”.
OPPO has become one of the first smartphone brands to successfully test VoNR services on its smartphone. With network operators all set to deploy 5G over SA architecture in the second half of 2020, VoNR should become an important feature of 5G phones in the coming years.
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