As a programmer it's almost unavoidable to have conference calls with clients, vendors, etc. I've been on 4 and 8 hour conference calls before. Those calls are distracting to everyone around. I can't imagine anyone working productively while someone tries to coordinate with multiple teams on single call. Nevermind that when conferencing with people on speakerphone or with thick accents (or both) it is your tendency to speak louder and clearer.

There's simply no denying it. Maybe these open space workplaces don't have situations like this. But in my line of work it's part of the job.