T-Mobile will translate live calls into more than 50 languages

T-Mobile is preparing to test a new AI feature that translates live phone calls into more than 50 languages. Live translation It launches in beta “this spring,” according to a press release, with registration For eligible T-Mobile customers available starting today.

“Some of the biggest barriers wireless customers face are the simplest ones — like being able to understand each other,” said T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan. “By bringing real-time AI directly into our network, we are delivering more than just communication – towards turning conversations into community, starting with live translation.”

Enabling it at the network level means that users do not need specific applications 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 company’s advanced 5G network, T-Mobile President John Cao said Edge Live translation works over both 4G LTE and 5G:

“The primary requirement is Voice over LTE (VoLTE) connectivity, which allows the service to operate reliably across a wide range of devices and network conditions,” Saw said. “This flexibility is important because it ensures that live translation works for customers wherever they are, not just when they are connected to the latest network technology. Live translation works over VoLTE, VoNR and VoWiFi.”

T-Mobile says trial participants can activate live translation “for as long as they need” by calling 87, at no additional cost during the trial period. T-Mobile hasn’t said whether Live Translation will be paywalled 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 the feature only works during an active call, and T-Mobile will not save call recordings or texts. “The service is designed to translate conversations in real time and then move forward, without storing the content of those calls,” Sao said.