Setting up 4g calling ready for next year.

[gazmix8]

Hi

i have received a text saying 3g calling will end next year. I entered my IEMI number into the check box & it says that my Sony Xperia X Compact is compatible with 4g calling so i contacted a Vodafone worker via Facebook messenger & he sent me a few texts & to text CALLING to 97888. I did this & it said WiFi calling is added but nothing about 4g calling..

How can i make sure that my phone has 4g calling ? or is the WiFi calling & 4g calling the same? 

Regards

gazmix

[gazmix8]

Hi

Yes but is there a way to try 2g calling now?

Thanks 

[Gemma]

@gazmix8 - from your previous post I can see you’ve mentioned your phone displayed the ‘WCDMA(preferred)/GSM’ option.

GSM is 2G so that would be the only option to select that includes 3G,  although that will also try to use 3G.

It doesn’t sound like you were being given a 2G only option when you last tested this. 

When 3G is turned off your phone will automatically use the best signal strength for where you are 😊

[gazmix8]

Hi and thanks @Gemma

No there's no 2g only option.

I just wanted to be 100% certain I won't be without texts n calls when 3g is turned off.

I need the phone I have because it has a built-in app that most more modern phones don't have or I'd upgrade but what can yer do.

Many thanks 

[hrym]

The only way you can really test it is to find an area that only gets 2G, though I suspect there aren't many of those.  2G is effectively the telephony system, which had data piggy-backed onto it.   3G is a faster variant.   (4 & 5G are data only), so it'll just work as long as there's a signal.   Even now, more areas get 2&3G than anything else.

[gazmix8]

@hrym many thanks

ah ok yes i get yer.. The network checker says that 2g is around in my area so thats cool but when 3g is shut off will i notice any difference in how texts are sent & received & how calls are made & received, will the experience be any different to 4g? 

Regards

[hrym]

It should be exactly the same.    Any conversion to VoIP happens in the background, so a call will be a call and an SMS an SMS.

[gazmix8]

@hrym many thanks.. 

the VolTe 4g calling is something that ain't necessary if i'm correct it's just an enhanced sound version of a phone call. 

I maybe a lot of newer phones don't have gsm 2g when it's all yer need. 

Regards

[hrym]

VoIP gives you the ability to make a call over wifi when you don't have a mobile signal. Adding 4/5G is in preparation for when all calls will be digital - even landlines. At some point, 2G will be switched off as well, but I suspect the technology will need to be native to operating systems before that happens and the implementation will need to be standardised, which it's far from being at the moment.

[gazmix8]

@hrym hi & thanks

I've never not had a phone signal to not be able to make calls or send texts but i've had many times i can't get 4g internet in my area so maybe they're shooting themselves in the foot if reliant on 4g for calling & texts.

Regards

[hrym]

None of that will happen until coverage is more widespread and there are issues with that due to the frequencies involved. There are also questions about what happens to landline calls in a power cut.

Honestly, I think you're worrying about nothing. It's quite a few years off and the issues have to be addressed.

For now, just use your phone and you won't even notice the technology behind it.