Hi all,
o2 have been doing some work on the local masts recently in and around Glossop. I think it's part of their network refresh programme as they've around 3 times already since the 9th and are back again on the 20th for more maintenence.
Anyway back to HD voice. On the 9th of April I made a call to my friend. As soon as dialling tone came through my speakers I knew something was very different. The 'ring ring' tone much clearer and louder than normal.
Once connected the call was crystal clear and nothing like I've ever heard on o2! I'd say it's easily as good as skype/ factime audio.
I instantly knew this was HD voice and that my friend would be on o2. Asked them what network they were on and yes it was o2. Their phone was one of the new Sony Xperias. I then called another friend on o2 who has an Iphone 4. This doesn't support HD voice and as expected the call was of the usual low quality.
I can also confirm that calling friends with new phones on Tesco and Giffgaff (on the same mast with 3g connection) also gives HD voice calls. The quality is easily as good as skype/ facetime audio on some calls.
Interestingly if i call the same friends when I'm not in the Glossop area ( 3g signal) the calls connect in normal o2 quality so this is definetely area specific for now.
As expected calls to people on other networks are standard quality.
What is suprising is that on Google I can't find anything about o2 HD voice in the UK. As we know o2 had said they have no plans to roll it out in the UK leaving it the only network without it. Perhaps this is about to change....
