A soundbox is a telecommunications device that allows two users to engage in an auditory conversation over great distances. Soundboxes convert sound into electronic signals which are then transmitted by wire and cables, replaying the sound for the second user. Soundboxes themselves are isolated square rooms, usually seven feet tall, and four feet along each side. Inside the soundbox is a large microphone and a single speaker used for transmitting and replaying audio signals.

As of 248 EM there are only a few dozen soundboxes in use throughout Atla, most of which are found in provincial capital buildings and a few major corporations. The telecommunications infrastructure throughout Atla is in its infancy, and as a result even those who have the money to purchase a soundbox are unable to. The Grand Council is currently working on installing more wires and cables between and within major cities, but the project will take years before any significant results are seen.