The Plague of Crappy Calls
You know the feeling – you’re on an important business call, trying to seal the deal, but the person on the other end sounds like they’re speaking from the bottom of a well. Or maybe you’re chatting with your bestie, eager to catch up, only to be met with a cacophony of static and background noise that makes you want to throw your phone across the room. Yep, poor cell phone call quality is the bane of our modern, hyper-connected existence.
Recent data shows that the voice quality we get on our shiny, expensive smartphones is often worse than the good old days of landline phones. What gives? Well, it turns out that cramming all those tiny electronic parts into a device the size of a Hershey bar isn’t exactly a recipe for audio perfection.
And it’s not just the hardware – the way our calls are transmitted and converted from one digital format to another introduces a whole host of opportunities for things to go wrong. As Tristan Huntington, VP of product at TextNow, aptly put it, “It’s 100 years of stuff that somehow has to connect to each other.” Yikes.
The (Not So) Humble Phone Call
Now, I know what you’re thinking – who even uses their phone to make actual calls these days? With all the messaging apps, video chats, and social media at our fingertips, the humble phone call might seem like a relic of the past. But hear me out – the phone call is still a pretty darn important mode of communication.
Sure, it may not be as flashy or feature-packed as the latest social media craze, but it’s one of the most accessible and democratic forms of connection. You can dial up your buddy in Melbourne or a business in Warsaw, no matter what kind of device they’re using. And let’s be real, there are still plenty of situations where a good old-fashioned phone call is the best (or only) option, like when you need to speak with a potential employer or coordinate a family emergency.
So, while we may be in awe of artificial intelligence and the metaverse, we can’t afford to neglect the basics – like making sure our phone calls don’t sound like we’re trapped in a tin can.
Fixing the Fuzz
Alright, now that we’ve established the importance of the humble phone call, let’s dive into some ways to improve that less-than-stellar audio quality. First up, consider using a different method of communication altogether. Apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom often have better audio quality than basic cell phone calls, thanks to the companies’ investments in improving their services.
However, the downside is that you’re then reliant on both parties using the same app – not exactly ideal for those ubiquitous, everyday calls. Plus, you might not want to be the one suggesting a video chat when your grandma just wants to hear your voice.
Another option is to take advantage of your phone’s Wi-Fi calling feature, if it has one. Calls routed over a reliable Wi-Fi connection often sound a lot better than those transmitted through the cellular network. Just be mindful of your surroundings – in crowded areas with lots of people on the same Wi-Fi, the quality can still suffer.
And as silly as it sounds, sometimes the solution is as simple as hanging up and trying again. According to experts, if you’re connected to a strong cellular or Wi-Fi signal and still have terrible audio, the problem might be with your specific phone. In that case, using a headset with a dedicated microphone can help improve your voice quality, as the audio components are often better tuned for calls.
The Elusive Quest for Perfection
Now, I know what you’re thinking – isn’t there some kind of magical, cutting-edge technology that can just fix this whole mess? Well, you’re in luck, because the mobile network nerds are onto something with a little something called VoNR (Voice over New Radio).
This 5G-powered technology promises a big boost in audio quality, but the catch is that it requires everyone involved – from device manufacturers to network providers – to be on the same page. And as we all know, getting tech companies to play nicely together is about as easy as herding cats.
So, while the quest for perfect phone call quality may be a long and arduous one, there are still plenty of ways to improve the situation in the meantime. Remember, a little creativity and persistence can go a long way – whether that means trying out a new app, fiddling with your phone’s settings, or just hanging up and dialing again.
And who knows, maybe one day we’ll look back on these scratchy, muffled calls the way we do those old rotary phones – as a quaint relic of a bygone era. Until then, I’ll be here, fighting the good fight for better call quality, one crackly conversation at a time.
