T-Mobile is preparing to test a new artificial intelligence feature that translates live phone calls in more than 50 languages. The Live Translation feature will launch in beta “this spring,” according to a press release, with sign-up for eligible T-Mobile customers available starting today.
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“Some of the biggest hurdles wireless customers face are the simplest — like being able to understand each other,” said T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan. “By bringing true AI directly to our network, we’re delivering more than just connectivity — we’re transforming conversations into community, starting with Live Translation.”
Enabling the feature at the network level means users don’t need any specific apps or devices to use the service. The only requirement is that the translation must be initiated by a user on T-Mobile’s network. The feature will be available on the carrier’s advanced 5G network, but T-Mobile president John Sawtold The Verge that Live Translation works on both 4G LTE and 5G:
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“The key requirement is a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) connection, which allows the service to operate reliably across a wide range of devices and network conditions,” said Saw. “This flexibility is important because it ensures that Live Translation works for customers wherever they are, not just when they are on the latest network technology. Live Translation works over VoLTE, VoNR and VoWiFi.”
T-Mobile says beta participants can activate Live Translation “for as long as they need” by calling 87, at no additional cost during the beta period. T-Mobile hasn’t said whether Live Translation will be a paid feature when it launches to the general public this year. Beta participants will also be able to activate Live Translation by saying “Hey T-Mobile” later this spring.
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It's worth noting that the feature only works during an active call, and that T-Mobile won't store call recordings or transcripts. "The service is designed to translate conversations in real time and then move on, without storing the content of those calls," Saw said.
