Forum Discussion
Australian calling and coverage
To whom it concerns
I set up my phone for overseas coverage in Australia and New Zealand
it
qprin Aick
Hi Stephen_2867406 Australia has fully switched off 2G and 3G services, meaning only 4G VoLTE/5G-enabled devices will work. Some older or unsupported devices are permanently blocked from the Australian network and will not work at all unfortunately.The Australian regulator mandates that all devices must support VoLTE emergency calls. Devices that cannot be verified for VoLTE emergency calls are blocked from connecting to Australian networks. Many of these blocked devices were never sold in Australia, making this issue more common for visitors.
You can use Optus' Blocked Device Checker to verify if your device is allowed on the network: https://www.optus.com.au/support/checkdevice
- Follow the link and enter the first 8 digits of the device IMEI
- The checker will say if the device will or won’t work in Australia.
8 Replies
Apple iOS Upgrade to 26.1 did the trick !
Arrived in AUS last month and have been frustrated by SOS instead of reception bars on my iPhone since. Finally found time to speak to Smarty on a chat yesterday and they blamed Apple which didn't make sense to me at the time.
My own AI assisted research tells me ...
This issue is not exclusive to Smarty, but Smarty (and Three UK) users seem to be reporting it in higher numbers than users of other UK networks. The root cause is an Australian government-mandated blockade by Australian networks, not a failure of the Smarty SIM/eSIM itself.
The Core Issue: "Triple Zero" Blocking
As of late 2024, Australia has shut down its 3G networks. To prevent people from having phones that look like they have signal but cannot actually dial 000 (Emergency Services), the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) introduced a rule requiring networks to actively block any phone that is not correctly configured to make emergency calls over 4G (VoLTE) on their specific network. (NB: people have sadly died due to this 000 issue in AUS so it's not just red tape for the sake of it)
The Impact: If your phone/SIM combination does not send the correct "VoLTE Emergency" handshake to the Australian network immediately upon arrival, the local network will block your device completely. You will see "SOS Only" or "No Service."
You can check if your mobile is blocked on Telstra's network by searching for "3G-Network-Closure-Blocked-Devices-Checker" (actual link not allowed apparently).
My iPhone 12 mini has, until yesterday, been stuck on iOS 17 even with auto-updates selected. When I went in to check what version it was yesterday I was offered, for the first time, the opportunity to install iOS 26.1, which I took. My Smarty eSIM now works in AUS, no issues. So it seems Smarty's advice that Apple needed to do something was correct, though they could have added the need to check for any iOS updates when in AUS.
I should mention that I have both a UK Apple ID and an AUS Apple ID. When in AUS I use the latter, which is maybe why I was suddenly able to jump from iOS 17 to 26.1.
Anyway, I hope this helps my fellow Smarty users while they enjoy the lucky country!
Smarty blatantly lie on the coverage in Australia, I did all the checks they suggested,settings and out. Of plan cover all in place, phone worked in Singapore but not Australia, ended up with local sim which worked perfectly. I just had to message friends and family with new temporary number
SteveMar_269078 There is s specific issue in Australia due to Govt. regulations and nothing to do with Smarty. I suggest a Google search. For future reference, an sim with data for calls via WhatsApp (or similar) may prove easier and cheaper. Worked well for us recently on Roamless.
That’s the line smarty take, they say check the phone ime number, which I did, it was good. Is it the smarty sim that is against government regulations as it’s not the phoe (because it worked with a different sim) if so how is this nota smarty issue?
To whom it concerns
As I said I’d have paid oh for overdresscoverage inv. Australia atyeuyrroeptripertuoretyqpoioetypytuowipweureiwutqptewpoprptworotyottwyrpurqeupooieeqtou
Stephen_2867406 wrote:To whom it concerns
before I. Left I set up my phone for overseas coverage in Australia and New Zealand. I have balance on my account in. !nz it worked yet. In Australia. Having been in Perth and now Adelaide it. Is not Working at. All
Why is. This?g
also typing. This. Message has been an absolute ightmare the website. Is clearly. Not. Working with an ipad System
i look forurward to receteiving any help ands understanding
if there is no coverage . In Perth AND. Adelaide then let me know asap and if throat is time case I would suggest this is made clear when buying them product
Stephen_2867406 You are posting on the Community Forum here so we are members like you.
There has been a particular issue in Australia due to government regulations there subsequent to the turn off of 3G. Certain phones will not work there; it seems, in short, linked to the phone's ability to use 4G for emergency calls on all networks. I'm no tech expert, but I think it is also linked to the VoLTE protocol that your phone uses.
In summary, this is not down to Smarty and they have no control over the Australian Government Telecoms Regulations.
I was there recently and used an international Esim on my phone; this time I used Roamless. Although it does not give direct calls, you can make them via the company's app. if need be; the Esim gives data access and this worked very well as it links to the local networks. I also found it very economical as any unused credit stays on my account for future usage in any of the many countries that they cover.
There are a number of other suppliers with different models, but it seems to me that most of them are cheaper than paying for usage from account add on.
Hi Stephen_2867406 Australia has fully switched off 2G and 3G services, meaning only 4G VoLTE/5G-enabled devices will work. Some older or unsupported devices are permanently blocked from the Australian network and will not work at all unfortunately.The Australian regulator mandates that all devices must support VoLTE emergency calls. Devices that cannot be verified for VoLTE emergency calls are blocked from connecting to Australian networks. Many of these blocked devices were never sold in Australia, making this issue more common for visitors.
You can use Optus' Blocked Device Checker to verify if your device is allowed on the network: https://www.optus.com.au/support/checkdevice
- Follow the link and enter the first 8 digits of the device IMEI
- The checker will say if the device will or won’t work in Australia.
