Forum Discussion
3g switch off / Volte - Supported on all other networks but 3
I have a phone that supports 5G and Volte calling (at least on my EE sim because I have it enabled) I just had an email from Smarty saying my phone isn't supported (And I don't have the volte option on the Smarty sim in the settings menu)
Obviously I'm not buying a new phone because it works perfectly fine on other networks so I guess I need to jump ship to a network that doesn't put arbitrary limits on volte
So when is smarty going to remove this limit on handsets models not sold by them / 3?
From the debug menu:
EE - Volte Provision enabled
Smarty: Volte provision disabled
I ended up getting a 3 sim and I have WiFi and Volte support so whatever the issue is Smarty limits devices for some reason, currently in the process of porting my number away now.
To see if you have Volte dial *#*#4636#*#* > Phone Information > Scroll down and see if Volte provisioned / Wifi calling is enabled. See the photos in the OP for reference.
12 Replies
In the process of porting my number to another carrier.
Since the 3G switch-off (Sept 2024) I cannot make or receive calls but can still send and received texts, consume data services and enable hotspots.
I normally replace my phone every few years and currently have an xperia 5iii which is just over 3 yrs old.
Due to the poor network coverage provided by Smarty, there really is no reason to stay with them and upgrade to a more expensive phone given that my phone is Volte compatible but Smarty choose not to support it. Quite pathetic actually
ChuChuTrain You make a fair point here but do firstly check that any new network you may choose will support that phone.
Thank you 👍
jassingh I tried your method and I could still make a call BUT I'm not sure that it stayed on 4G as the header with the info changed from 4G to 'Home' during the call 🤔 but looking at the advice from dawdie I don't have Volte 😠
dawdie Good advice! I looked at this and my phone doesn't have either of these options available (they are greyed out) 😤 How comparable is a 3 sim?? I am currently on a SMARTY plan that is £7/mth which includes 2GB data and I get a refund on my next months bill for all of the previous months data I don't use (as I have never needed to use my data I get £2 deducted every month so I pay £5 for unlimited call and texts) Does 3 give all the same benefits as SMARTY e.g. picture texts are included in the bundle etc
Does anyone know when this 4G Volte comes into force?? Is it soon?? If it's close then I will have to scrape together the £ to get another phone but I'm hoping I have a bit of time to sort this out and then there is the decision of what phone to get and from where ARRRRGGGGHHHHH 😠😠😠
Does anyone have any recommendations of any other service provider(s) that support 4G (non Volte) or are/will they all be going in that direction?? Such a faff!!🤣I ended up getting a 3 sim and I have WiFi and Volte support so whatever the issue is Smarty limits devices for some reason, currently in the process of porting my number away now.
To see if you have Volte dial *#*#4636#*#* > Phone Information > Scroll down and see if Volte provisioned / Wifi calling is enabled. See the photos in the OP for reference.
No problems with 5G / VOLTE on an Asus Zenfone 9, which from memory, is / was only offered by O2 here (I bought mine direct from Asus)
Smarty themselves don’t make phones, nor do they sell phones, they just offer a £40 discount to customers through “Reboxed” who sell refurbished second hand phones.
What phone do you have ?
Sony Xperia 1 III, I just flashed the non vendor specific firmware to it (was on O2) firmware and I still have the issue.
I guess at this point I need to look at moving elsewhere annoyingly, I know I could never get volWiFi because it wasn't on the list of approved three handsets so all I can assume is thats the same for Volte.
Looking online at other comments Volte needs to enabled at the carrier end as well as the end user having a supported device and based on my chats with support ill likely win the lottery before that happensHi dawdie 👋
Even though 3G is being turned off 4G coverage will still be supported. They also said my phone was not supported but HOW do they know what phone I have??🤔🤔 and it gets 4G so all is good.
If you check under 'Settings➡️Network & Internet➡️Mobile Network➡️Advanced➡️Preferred Network type' it will show you the types of coverage your handset accepts (mine is 2G/3G/4G, so hopefully I won't have to buy another one in the near future🙄) As long as you have 4G or 5G you are good to go😁
Hope this helps x x
