Forum Discussion

jamescutts's avatar
jamescutts
SMARTY Pioneer
22-01-2024
Solved

WiFi Calling and VoLTE Support

I've hit my first snag with SMARTY, having jumped over from Three last week everything has gone through smoothly and working mostly as expected, with a few issues getting an equally as good signal in a few locations (but to be expected).

However I'd noticed that WiFi calling and VoLTE don't seem to be enabled, (WiFi calling being a big dealbreaker for me), I thought it might just be a provisioning thing at first so ive left it a few day's however I still can't see it.

Chat support hasn't been very useful, just stating it's not compatible, with no other explanation, other than an empty apology and thanking me for my patience?

I've previously had this supported perfectly fine on both Three and EE, I'm using a Sony Xperia V II (a bit long in the tooth now but by no means ancient), looking at the device compatibility list, there's both devices which are way older and running much older versions of android to boot. 

Can anyone shed any light into this? Without a good explanation as to why a device doesn't support WiFi calling on the SMARTY network but works perfectly fine on others, I'm hesitant to upgrade to a newer model in case of the same result. I can't really see why it would be a hardware or OS issue so it must be a configuration issue on the SMARTY network side? 

If I'm being honest this isn't very encouraging, and with no contract to lock me in I'm already considering moving again.

VoLTE
wifi calling
  • JodieC's avatar
    JodieC
    23-01-2024

    Hi jamescutts 

    Thank you for reaching out to our SMARTY community.

    Although SMARTY share the Three network, we operate as different providers, this means some services Three offer may not be offered by us, this includes Wi-Fi-Calling. 

    You can view our Wi-Fi-Calling compatibility list here - Which devices are compatible with WiFi Calling? | SMARTY Help Centre

    We are continuously working on adding new devices to this list but I am unable to provide a timeframe as to when your device would be compatible with this feature. 

    I appreciate your feedback on this and I can assure you it does not go unnoticed. 

    Jodie

  • Chalkychap's avatar
    Chalkychap
    23-01-2024

    Maybe Three UK and SMARTY use different IMS systems for provisioning VoLTE and WiFi Calling services on their mobile networks, jamescutts. This could explain why your Sony Xperia works with one and not the other.

    When I used Android devices, being able to use a WiFi Calling service with my handset was always problematic. Because I needed a WiFi Calling service in my mobile not-spot, I reluctantly switched to iOS and an iPhone - mainly because the big 4 UK networks all supported iPhone handsets with VoLTE and WiFi Calling, while offering limited support for Android devices.  

    With my iPhone, I've not encountered issues with VoLTE and WiFi Calling support. If you're using an Xperia handset and not an iPhone, perhaps you'll always find your service provider choices are limited. 

    At least there's no 12/24 month minimum-term lock-in at SMARTY, jamescutts.  
    🍀

     

  • Chalkychap's avatar
    Chalkychap
    23-01-2024

    Sorry jamescutts, your Xperia might be able to use a mobile data connection after 3G switch-off, but how would you make/receive calls, and send/receive text messages, if your Xperia device doesn't work with SMARTY's current VoLTE and WiFi Calling services, running on their 4G data network? 

    You might have to rely on Skype calls or WhatsApp calls, over your SMARTY mobile data connection.

     

26 Replies

  • JodieC's avatar
    JodieC
    SMARTY Moderator
    23-01-2024

    Hi jamescutts 

    Thank you for reaching out to our SMARTY community.

    Although SMARTY share the Three network, we operate as different providers, this means some services Three offer may not be offered by us, this includes Wi-Fi-Calling. 

    You can view our Wi-Fi-Calling compatibility list here - Which devices are compatible with WiFi Calling? | SMARTY Help Centre

    We are continuously working on adding new devices to this list but I am unable to provide a timeframe as to when your device would be compatible with this feature. 

    I appreciate your feedback on this and I can assure you it does not go unnoticed. 

    Jodie

    • SandraC_2200711's avatar
      SandraC_2200711
      SMARTY Commentator
      10-08-2024

      List is incorrect. My Moto G54 bought last week seems tobe working with wifi calling. It is enabled in settings, and if I turn airplane on and wifi on and make a call the call goes through on Wifi calling icon shows top right of phone. Incorrect lists are really unhelpful.

      • MSF's avatar
        MSF
        SMARTY Guru
        10-08-2024

        SandraC_2200711  If you check out the list, it states:

        Below is a list of devices we've tried and tested to check their compatibility with Wi-Fi calling, if your device isn't listed, it may still have Wi-Fi calling capability but as we haven't tested it, we can't guarantee it'll work.

        Smarty didn't say it would not work - only that they would not guarantee it.

  • Chalkychap's avatar
    Chalkychap
    SMARTY Trendsetter
    23-01-2024

    Maybe Three UK and SMARTY use different IMS systems for provisioning VoLTE and WiFi Calling services on their mobile networks, jamescutts. This could explain why your Sony Xperia works with one and not the other.

    When I used Android devices, being able to use a WiFi Calling service with my handset was always problematic. Because I needed a WiFi Calling service in my mobile not-spot, I reluctantly switched to iOS and an iPhone - mainly because the big 4 UK networks all supported iPhone handsets with VoLTE and WiFi Calling, while offering limited support for Android devices.  

    With my iPhone, I've not encountered issues with VoLTE and WiFi Calling support. If you're using an Xperia handset and not an iPhone, perhaps you'll always find your service provider choices are limited. 

    At least there's no 12/24 month minimum-term lock-in at SMARTY, jamescutts.  
    🍀

     

  • jamescutts's avatar
    jamescutts
    SMARTY Pioneer
    23-01-2024

    Thanks for the replies both appreciated.

    I'd much rather reluctantly switch network again than move over to a iPhone Chalkychap thought there's some useful insight there.

    I'm still confused as to the incredibly patchy device support that doesn't seem to follow any pattern, a few years old flagship isn't supported but a older low end Alcatel is, and no Nokia in the last few years seems to have made the cut? 

    Is there any way you can provide any more insight JodieC as to the requirements for a device to support WiFi Calling and VoLTE? There must be some technical explanation even if it's a business decision. Having read various other chats it seems this very patchy support is a common theme on SMARTY. I very much get as a MVNO SMARTY's network and systems are different. 

    I don't want to be overly critical but as everything so far except this has been great but I'm not really gaining any confidence in the network if there's no explanations. I plan on buying a new device sometime soon, pretty much anything I might pick will have Wifi Calling but now I either have to choose from a very constrained list or move to another network, you can probably guess what I'll end up doing?

    • Chalkychap's avatar
      Chalkychap
      SMARTY Trendsetter
      23-01-2024

      Thanks jamescutts.
      Unfortunately, I suspect you'll find whenever resources are limited, network operators focus on supporting handsets with bigger market shares.

      In the UK, this probably means offering VoLTE and WiFi Calling support for Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and Honor devices in the main. 

      • jamescutts's avatar
        jamescutts
        SMARTY Pioneer
        23-01-2024

        I think that's certainly a factor Chalkychap I'd just love (and I'm sure others would too) some documented requirements so that I use to help me make informed decisions, is it just SMARTY needing to enable it or is it requirement for a particular thing in the OS etc? I'm never not going to be baffled as to why my ancient and cheap backup Nokia 7.2 works but my ex-flagship Xperia V II doesn't 😄

        I'm certainly willing to stick it out for a bit and see though at least for a good few months. I might end up dual siming with someone like the 4 letter V provider who do have support to get me out of those tricky situations where i need Voice over Wifi, though with the inconvenience of an extra number.

        Inevitably I'll also be switching to a new phone at some point, if it works with that new device great, if not then I'll probably switch at that point.

  • SimonGr_1348836's avatar
    SimonGr_1348836
    SMARTY Maverick
    05-05-2024

    Did you sort it I'm having the same problem because 3 network have turned 3g of and now I can't make calls 

  • domeheid's avatar
    domeheid
    SMARTY Pioneer
    29-03-2025

    I've had this same issue and spent a lot of time with customer support trying to troubleshoot this issue. I'm on an iPhone 14 Pro Max. I've given up and switched to giffgaff (O2 network). If you'd like to switch and get £5 credit, please use my referral link: https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/affiliate/domeheid.

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      30-03-2025

      domeheid  Sounds like yours was a different issue.

      A number of phones - particularly older models - do not work with the smarty VoLTE protocol. That does not apply to iPhones after the 6 - at least not if purchased in the UK.