Meet Fraunhofer IIS at MWC Barcelona 2026 , Booth CS64
From reliable satellite calls at ultra‑low bitrates to immersive voice experiences on smartphones, communication technologies are evolving rapidly — and audio plays a central role. At the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Fraunhofer IIS showcases a range of innovations that shape the future of digital communication across terrestrial and non‑terrestrial networks.
Visitors are invited to explore how advanced audio codecs, AI‑based signal processing, and intelligent satellite systems work together to enable clearer, more natural, and more reliable communication — wherever it takes place.
Reliable Voice Communication over Non‑Terrestrial Networks with Fraunhofer NESC
Fraunhofer NESC is an ultra‑efficient AI‑based voice codec designed for direct‑to‑device satellite communication. Operating at bitrates of 1 kbit/s or less, it enables robust and reliable voice transmission over GEO, MEO, and LEO satellite constellations.
NESC makes NTN voice services viable at scale — from emergency communications and audio messaging to satellite voice services with audio quality comparable to terrestrial calls. With its market‑leading coding efficiency, the technology is ready for commercial deployment by satellite and mobile network operators, helping to extend reliable voice coverage to areas where terrestrial networks cannot reach.
Immersive Voice and Audio Communication with IVAS
IVAS (Immersive Voice and Audio Services) is the cutting‑edge 3GPP voice codec that redefines communication through immersive audio. It improves call quality and enables more realistic ad‑hoc and multi‑party conferencing, helping users stay focused and reducing fatigue during calls and virtual meetings. By conveying realistic acoustic scenes — both outdoors and indoors, in offices, homes, and industrial environments — IVAS brings a new level of spatial realism to voice communication. Advanced rendering capabilities support a wide range of devices, from smartphones and headphones to car speakers, soundbars, and XR systems. Designed specifically for mobile communication, IVAS is optimized for high compression efficiency, low complexity, and minimal delay. Building on the widely deployed EVS codec used in 4G and 5G voice services (VoLTE and VoNR), IVAS is fully backward compatible, making it a natural evolution toward future immersive voice services.
At the booth, visitors can experience IVAS live on real smartphones, including demos that combine immersive rendering with advanced microphone processing for everyday call scenarios and voice messaging.
Efficient Audio Streaming and Voice Messaging with xHE‑AAC
xHE‑AAC is the latest generation of the trusted AAC codec family. Used by leading OTT platforms such as Audible, Netflix, and in Instagram Reels, it delivers a noticeably better listening experience — from ultra‑low to high bitrates. Mandatory loudness control, seamless DASH/HLS adaptive streaming, and superior speech quality ensure stable playback even under fluctuating network conditions. The technology is natively supported in Android, iOS, Fire OS, Vega, and Windows 11, making high‑quality audio available across billions of devices worldwide.
At MWC Barcelona 2026, Fraunhofer IIS also highlights an important milestone for messaging services: xHE‑AAC is now part of the GSMA’s RCS Universal Profile 3.1. This enables mobile operators to deliver richer, high‑quality audio messages directly in native messaging apps — significantly enhancing everyday voice messaging without any user interaction.
High‑Quality Wireless Audio Across Platforms with LC3plus
LC3plus addresses the drawbacks of today’s wireless communication platforms. Its ultra‑low delay makes it ideal for high‑end gaming headsets and interactive audio systems, while its improved robustness ensures interruption‑free voice communication. Running on platforms such as Bluetooth, DECT, and VoIP, LC3plus supports a broad range of wireless use cases. For premium applications, its Lossless mode enables perfect audio delivery, allowing high‑end wireless HiFi systems to offer uncompromised sound quality.
Clear Audio Capture with upHear Microphone Processing
Fraunhofer upHear Microphone Processing technologies ensure pristine audio capture at the source. AI‑based noise reduction, echo cancellation, voice isolation, and spatial audio recording provide clean input signals for voice calls and conferencing — even in challenging acoustic environments. Combined with immersive communication technologies such as IVAS, fraunhofer upHear enables lifelike communication experiences, making conversations sound as natural as being there — across devices and use cases.
Meet Fraunhofer IIS at MWC Barcelona 2026 Booth CS64
From ultra‑efficient satellite voice codecs and high‑quality audio messaging to immersive communication and intelligent 6G satellite systems, Fraunhofer IIS demonstrates how future‑ready audio technologies enable smarter communication everywhere.
Visit us in Barcelona to experience live demos, talk to our experts, and discover how audio innovation continues to shape the future of global communication.