public service announcement- 3G switch off

[lukefow_2236187]

i have noticed several posts on here about problems making calls, £g has recently been closed down meaning phones that do not support VOLTE wont work on smarty, unlike other networks there is no 2G on smarty. older 4G phones will still be able to use data and sms but calls will fail, phones that dont use 4G for anything wont work at all on smarty now

[Decembersangel]

Hi @lukefow_2236187 👋

You are correct in that 'non 4G' phones will no longer work now that 3G is being turned off.
Saying that, some 4G/VoLTE enabled phones will still not work if they don't have the necessary software to enable this function.
All I can say is that owners of phones that have the capability to connect to the VoLTE network, but can't use it, is to do the research as to why their handset can't connect. The internet is their friend for answers to the problem!
Only 3 networks now support 2G and they are EE, Vodafone and O2.

[RichardE_567944]

• Hi Decembersangel.... My phone has just stopped making or receiving calls as the 3G was turned off. It is VoLTE enabled, and connects fine using a Three SIM card. I am desperately searching the internet for a solution, and meanwhile losing many calls. I have numerous answerphone messages I cannot access. Very frustrating, and it would have been nice to receive some prior notice...

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  @Decembersangel wrote:
  

  Hi @lukefow_2236187 👋
  
  You are correct in that 'non 4G' phones will no longer work now that 3G is being turned off.
  Saying that, some 4G/VoLTE enabled phones will still not work if they don't have the necessary software to enable this function.
  All I can say is that owners of phones that have the capability to connect to the VoLTE network, but can't use it, is to do the research as to why their handset can't connect. The internet is their friend for answers to the problem!
  Only 3 networks now support 2G and they are EE, Vodafone and O2.

  ---

[Decembersangel]

Hi @RichardE_567944 👋
Unfortunately, there seems to be a LOT of problems cropping up with regards to the 3G turn off and there very is little help/knowledge from providers who should be able to help and yet......😤
If it's not the phone being incompatible with a network then it can be anything from a locked Firmware problem to basic incorrect settings 🙄
Have you looked at iD Mobile? They also use the Three network and have a more comprehensible list of 'Approved' phones. 
https://www.idmobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/approved-handsets

I hope you find the answers to your problem! x

[lukefow_2236187]

i think three will end up having to turn 3g back on, VOLTE is very complex compared to 2g and 3g calls which just work

[lukefow_2236187]

with the other networks there is still 2g for calls but on three there is now only 4g and 5g

[SmartyTrousers]

Very unlikely to happen. Smarty's web page about incompatible devices mentions that they should all work on Three itself. The issue is specific to virtual networks like Smarty.