HD/HD+ calling & sharing towers

[Shubh2023]

Hi guys. This questions are from 1 more of my friends and mine too! 
So when you call someone, from 5G supportive + VoLTE phone, there's no HD symbol on call but then when they call back, we get HD calling! What might be the reason for it? 

My friends was asking if PM or Telus share towers with Bell here, like if somewhere else there isn't Telus towers, will people have access to Bell towers in BC or primarily west coast? 

[Shubh2023]

Oh interesting to hear it tbh. Ofc 5G consumes more battery, but speed & calling wise, in my area and overall, I find 5G better. LTE+ is good too, especially in the battery dept. but certain things feels a bit diff with 5G
The good part is Telus/Bell share towers so, network dept is sorted. Still, people complain and want to go back to Lucky or Virgin or Chatr lol
Oh, we are still using VoLTE and I guess Vo5G/VoNR will have better edge over it, hope we get it soon

[hTideGnow]

hi @Shubh2023 speed is better if you have 5G plan

but if you just comparing 5G or 4G networks, then there are other factors.  One thing is there is definitely less 5G towers than 4G.  Also, Bell and Telus hot tapped with the Huewai's issue and they have to redeploy some of their 5G requirements 

for voice, we are only using VoLTE and not Vo5G yet

[Shubh2023]

1 thing which came in my mind - 
Does 5G offer better calling and are you guys noticing the speed increase in Public mobile, on 5G?

[computergeek541]

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@hTideGnow wrote:

something i found :

On Telus, "HD Voice" or "HD+" calling is typically only available when both you and the person you're calling are on a compatible device and within a strong LTE network coverage area, meaning it won't always be active for every call unless both parties meet the requirements; essentially, it only activates when the network conditions allow for high definition audio quality. 

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The information that you have found is providing completely incorrect information.  HD voice does not require an LTE network.  Specific to Telus, HD voice has been availabe on Telus/Public Mobile for several years on the older HSPA network.

[Shubh2023]

Thanks for the info. I will see to it then, coz whenever I call a few people, particularly with them, I dont get the HD calling. So that's why I was curious! 
I dont do much calling so whenever I do, I prefer WhatsApp, as normal calling them doesn't give much clarity

[Shubh2023]

I noticed the call quality is quite different. Like HD calling seems more seamless. But, I get your point too, thanks for your insights! 

[hTideGnow]

HI @Shubh2023 

something i found :

On Telus, "HD Voice" or "HD+" calling is typically only available when both you and the person you're calling are on a compatible device and within a strong LTE network coverage area, meaning it won't always be active for every call unless both parties meet the requirements; essentially, it only activates when the network conditions allow for high definition audio quality. 

Key points to remember about HD Voice on Telus:

• Requires compatible devices:

  Both your phone and the other person's phone need to be VoLTE (Voice over LTE) capable to use HD Voice. 
• Network coverage matters:

  You need to be in a good LTE network area for HD Voice to function properly. 
• Automatic activation:

  If both devices are compatible and in an appropriate network zone, HD Voice will usually activate automatically during a call. 

[Shubh2023]

His is 15 Pro and mine is Moto Edge+ 2023

[hTideGnow]

HI @Shubh2023 

not a matter of new phone or not.  It is just some device-network and device-device issue.  i read Samsung didn't do that very well too

What phone is your friend's and what you have?

[Shubh2023]

Hm, well my friend's phone is a new one, so I might think it might be something to do with network or PM. Not sure about it. 1 of my other friends, he has Bell/Rogers, whoever he calls, he does get HD/HD+

[hTideGnow]

HI @Shubh2023 

it is both a device and a network issues.  Generally, Telus with Telus/Bell can get the HD or HD+ easier, but again, depends on the network in the area

[Chalupa_Batman]

Hey @Shubh2023 

I myself have an iPhone and have never seen HD calling, even on my Telus line. So I assume you and your pal both have Android phones? Phones like Samsung, the newer S lines, those I hear have HD calling and yes, they are supported by the Telus networks as they work on LTE. There are so many factors that could create this phenomenon. 

If you're on an Android, go to your Settings, About Phone, Status information or something like that and I think it was status of SIM or SIM card or....  IMS should state "registered" and voice must be set to LTE. I think there are a lot of factors where calls go into HD mode. Some don't even notice it. 

[Shubh2023]

Interesting. The thing is when I call them, I dont see HD, but when I receive their call, I get HD. Irrespective of whom I call, if they are under Telus/Koodo/PM, I either get HD/HD+

[slusagm · Accepted solution]

HD Voice ( HD icon you see) is only about the voice codec used end-to-end from your phone to the other party's phone.  it might be using different codec when you don't see it, but it could still be using Volte

for towers, your phones can use both Telus and bell towers and would choose depends on the signal strength and location, there is no network priority (ie, it wont choose Telus towers more just because you are with PM)

[Shubh2023]

Thanks mate. Gotcha. Any clue about the HD calling part?

[hTideGnow]

hi @Shubh2023 

Telus and Bell share towers, so if no Telus towers around, it will use Bell towers.  Like Ontario and Quebec, people mainly use Bell towers and rarely use Telus own towers