At the Mobile World Congress show, Fraunhofer IIS demonstrates mobile phone calls in stereo CD quality over a 4G cellular network.

Fraunhofer, a 20-year innovator in audio coding and inventor of mp3 as well as co-developer of AAC, brings its digital audio technology to the communications world. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits introduces the Fraunhofer Audio Communication Engine for LTE-A (Long Term Evolution) 4th Generation cellular networks. With this package of audio technologies voices sound as clear and natural as if talking to someone in the same room. In addition, rich media content such as music and sounds will be reproduced at their original quality as well, Fraunhofer claims.

With this technology, conference calls will be easy to follow and much less exhausting, phone calls in noisy environments will be easier to understand, and being on hold will sound as if listening to a concert on an mp3 player.

The Fraunhofer Audio Communication Engine combines several elements that may be incorporated in future 4G handsets. First, the specifically designed MPEG audio communications codec "AAC Enhanced Low Delay" ensures CD quality audio at very low coding delays and bit rates. Second, multi-channel echo control software removes echoes, providing hands-free convenience and complete freedom to move around in a room. Finally, a specially matched IP streaming stack and error concealment tools allow for high-quality audio even under adverse network conditions.