Orange launches HD calling in UK

Mobile voice calls

High definition (HD) calling is now available on a number of handsets in the UK from mobile operator Orange.

The company announced the technology way back in 2008 and promised the service would be available in the UK and Belgium from the third quarter of 2009.

However, trials didn't surface until June this year, after further promises back in January from Orange that the technology would definitely roll out in 2010.

The HD voice calling is now ready to go though and will be available for free if a customer invests in one of the following handsets: Nokia 5230, Nokia X6, Nokia E5 and Samsung Omnia Pro.

Martin Stiven, vice president of Business at Everything Everywhere, the company which runs Orange UK, said: "HD Voice is going to change the way businesses are able to communicate through our mobiles from conducting calls in places that were not previously possible to the ability to hear emotions in people's voices."

He added: "People are going to love the clarity of calls and the lack of background noise. Once you've used it, you will want to keep it."

Although only available on four handsets so far, Orange has promised more devices will be enabled over the coming months.

Jennifer Scott

Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.

Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.