Duplex operation during phone conversations

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Duplex operation during phone conversations

Often (mostly when talking with a service provider like the bank or phone company or other large organization) I am unable to interrupt the person speaking on the other end. Doesn't matter how often or how loudly I interrupt, they do not hear me until they stop speaking suggesting that the connection is half duplex. Is any part of this problem attributable to my using speaker? If I go to earpiece (raising the phone to my ear) will that fix it? Will my using airpods make a difference? (Not that I have them or want to spend for them.) Or, is it solely an issue at the other end of the connection? Is there anything I can suggest to them--some switching on their equipment--that will put them in duplex mode? Mostly the other party has no idea that this is going on; presumably with all of their conversations, or is it just me?

iPhone 11

Posted on Dec 10, 2020 8:37 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 15, 2020 11:23 AM in response to ottobrooklyn

There is a noise cancellation feature in the iPhone. Try turning it off. When the noise cancellation mic and the main mic hear the same thing sound is momentarily blocked.

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Answer 2

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Dec 14, 2020 2:16 PM in response to ottobrooklyn

Hello ottobrooklyn,

It sounds like people on the other end of a call aren't able to hear you when they're speaking, and we'd like to see how we can help.

It sounds like this happens intermittently, or only when calling certain numbers, is that right?

You mentioned that this happens when using the speaker; have you had a chance to test the issue and see if it occurs when you're not using speakerphone, or when headphones are being used?

If the issue only happens when using speakerphone, let's see if the steps on the following page help: If the microphones on your iPhone aren't working For this issue, please be sure to check out the "If people can't hear you when you're using speakerphone" part of the previous link as well.

Thanks!

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Answer 3

ottobrooklyn Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 15, 2020 3:52 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Being a ham radio operator, I was innately aware that it must be half-duplex, but the iPhone apparently has very sensitive response during gaps. I simply don't have the problem described when two IPhones are each on speaker--or even multiple ones in a conversation. Similarly Facetime seems to be equally responsive as my little experience with it doesn't have the same problem. Anyone around who has familiarity with huge telephone systems and what someone on the transmitting end can do to defeat the cutoff?

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Answer 4

ottobrooklyn Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 15, 2020 11:34 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thanks, will try that.

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Answer 5

ottobrooklyn Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 14, 2020 5:00 PM in response to Joseph_S.

Thanks Joseph S.,

There are no problems at the speakerphone end of my calls; everyone hears me fine. I have tested whether it's a problem when I use speaker, or I am head-to-the-earpiece—it doesn't matter. They simply can't hear me until they leave a small gap. Only then can I get through, by being certain that I've detected a gap. By then, their discussion has gone past the point where my now-late comment would have any relevance to what they were saying then. Anyway, it seems it's not an iPhone problem, but the larger system I am connected to. I was just wondering whether others in this forum have encountered similar issues.

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Answer 6

Dec 14, 2020 5:07 PM in response to ottobrooklyn

When you use speakerphone the call is half duplex; if it wasn’t feedback from the speaker would be picked up by the microphone and result in an echo.

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Duplex operation during phone conversations

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