T-Mobile is preparing to test a new AI feature that translates live phone calls into more than 50 languages. live translation Launching in beta “this spring,” according to a press release. Registration Available starting today for eligible T-Mobile customers.
“Some of the biggest barriers facing wireless customers are the simplest ones – like being able to understand each other,” said Srini Gopalan, CEO of T-Mobile. “By bringing real-time AI directly into our network, we are providing much more than connectivity – starting with live translation and turning conversations into community.”
Enabling it at the network level means users don’t need specific apps or devices to use the service. The only requirement is that the translation must be initiated by a T-Mobile network user. The feature will be available on the carrier’s 5G Advanced network, but T-Mobile’s technology president and CTO John Saw told The Verge That live translation works on both 4G LTE and 5G:
“The key requirement is a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) connection, which allows the service to operate reliably across a wide variety of devices and network conditions,” Saw said. “That flexibility is important because it ensures that Live Translation works for customers no matter where they are, not just when they’re on the latest network technology. Live Translation works over VoLTE, VoNR and VoWiFi.”
T-Mobile says beta participants can activate Live Translation “as long as they need” by dialing 87 at no additional cost during the beta period. T-Mobile hasn’t mentioned whether Live Translate will be paid 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.
It’s worth noting that this feature only works during an active call, and T-Mobile won’t save call recordings or transcripts. “The service is designed to translate conversations in real time and then move forward without storing the content of those calls,” Saw said.
