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

[Effie]

Hey @gazmix8 We're preparing to shut off the 3G network so it is recommended to switch to a 4G capable phone so that you can stay connected 🙂

[hrym]

That's not strictly correct is it, @Effie?   The 2G network will stay in place and will still carry calls and SMS.   It isn't yet necessary to use VoIP and, when it is, the facility will need to be available across all devices, not just a select few (that would apply to all networks, of course).

[gazmix8]

@Effie as @hrym says and Vodafone agent says via social media I can use 2g (GSM) for calls and texts so why mixed messages. This is what annoys me about the emails and texts about upgrading.. No option to keep old phone you must upgrade when not necessary. 

[hrym]

I completely agree, @gazmix8.

[gazmix8]

maybe @Effie  is in sales otherwise i don't understand why that reply from what i've heard from others

[Effie]

Hey @gazmix8 and @hrym I hope you are both well and having a lovely start to the week! Apologies for the delay in getting back to you both, I have not been on the Community for a few days.

I want to apologise to you both for any confusion, upset or frustration caused by my reply as this is never my intention! I do not work in Sales and I would never advise a customer to upgrade unnecessarily. I have reread the thread and my response is a case of a mistaken understanding of the conversation. I hold my hands up to you both and say I'm sorry I misread the query and my response reflects this. 

I have also let the team in charge of the notification know that the wording of the messages could do with being reviewed as you have correctly advised, it can be seen as misleading if there isn't a statement to advise that calls and texts will continue to work via the 2G network and that upgrading isn't a necessary action. Customers should always have a clear understanding that this is completely optional and if our messages don't reflect this, it needs to be addressed. 

Thank you both for pulling me up on my mistake, I appreciate the help and will endeavor to not make such an error again in the future. 

[hrym]

Thanks for that, @Effie, and for clarifying.   My comment wasn't aimed at you specifically, but at the network, which I've said elsewhere I think has been misleading.  I've certainly stopped receiving the "you'll need a new phone" texts.  For the future, there is a move towards making all calls (including landline) VoIP and a solution will have to be found by all networks that works universally.   That would suggest it would be at operating system level - that the phone app that comes with the device simply uses VoIP in the same way that Skype and WhatsApp do (ie, within itself).   It would also suggest that coverage of data-enabled signals will need to be as widespread as possible.   The facility to switch seamlessly between 2G andVoIP probably won't be a consideration.   (If I understand correctly, the chief merit of the Vodafone system is its ability to do that.)

[gazmix8]

Hi @Effie & many thanks for your reply & no need to apologise for what is a confusing situation all round. Initially lots said that a change was necessary as my phone currently uses 3g or 'H' when calling so i thought i'd need to change as i didn't know my phone had 2g or knew that GSM was 2g but later in the thread, others & especially @hrym helped clarify this.

The fault lays with the way Vodafone have gone about marketing the closure of 3g by texts & emails saying 'your going to need' to upgrade leading people without access to this forum or social media who may be lead to make unnecessary changes, instead giving them an option. Maybe their attitude is why would you want t go backwards to 2g than get something newer & more up to date. 

I have to say though the social media agents seem very helpful though as i guess they deal more with the technical issues side of Vodafone. 

Again many thanks

[gazmix8]

Hi all

So the 3g turn off will be spread out over next year not all at once, ending in September. I didn't know this. 

When i make a call or text the 4g on my phone goes to 'H' which is 3g so when i make a call or text using 2g i've been told 4g will be replaced by an 'E' 

Is this correct? 

Regards

[gazmix8]

Christ it's relentless, 2 a day.