Call problems in the US

[step_hen]

I’m currently in the US, where Vodafone use T-Mobile and AT and T. I wanted to make people aware there’s a technical  issue with AT and T that prevents voice calls being made and received. Calls can be made on T- Mobile, but I find that their coverage is inferior to AT and T,’s. After several conversations with Voda tech support, they acknowledged there is a problem with AT and T, but, apparently, they’re not in touch with AT and T to resolve the problem. 

[mikeecix]

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 with latest Android and security updates.

[chistery]

The note 9 doesn't look like it runs the latest os or have a very recent security update? What version is it at?

There's being up to date and there's having Android 13 and the September security update. 

[anuraagpaul]

@mikeecix looks like you will need a phone that specifically supports VoLTE whilst roaming (yes it really is a thing!) and since you have a Note 9, it’s possible they may have not enabled such a feature as it wasn’t needed back then.

Hopefully that answers your question as to why 4G calling isn’t working. 

So yeah in summary to your question, it could possibly be a limitation on the phones end, only way to really find out is put your sim into a more recent phone which would have the possibility to support roaming VoLTE.

[mikeecix]

I went to the device checker https://www.vodafone.co.uk/set-up-4g-calling/ entered my IMEI and it says 4G calling is compatible. Am running Android 10 with 1 Jul 2022 security patch installed. My phone settings has VoLTE Calls option enabled in Connections/Settings......so unless there is a difference in roaming VoLTE vs VoLTE in the UK, then my handset should work (btw the previous model the Galaxy Note 8 is also showing as compatible).

[anuraagpaul]

@mikeecix Yeah so if you’re on your home network, this would work perfectly fine. Same goes, you’re in the US now and if you popped in a local SIM that supports 4G calling, it would work.

This specifically relates to VoLTE whilst roaming which your phone most likely doesn’t support and this would be the reason for not being able to make any 4G calls.

Using the device checker on Vodafone makes no difference as that is to check for 4G calling compatibility on the home network only. You are using a foreign network so different rules would apply. 

The only way this would get solved is by a firmware update (There isn’t hardware limitation to this btw), but it seems very unlikely that they will push this out any time soon (or ever) as:

1. The phone you’re using is many years old and nearing its end of its life for software updates.

2. VoLTE whilst roaming isn’t a widespread thing at the moment, it will be many more years until this is normalised so to push an update on an older phone isn’t in the slightest bit a priority for any of the phone manufacturers with older phones (though I agree they should’ve always just had roaming VoLTE capability to be switched on, on ALL VoLTE capable handsets).

The only reason, such an activation of VoLTE was required was due to the US shutting down their 2G & 3G network on AT&T. This was done out of choice.

Hopefully that should answer it.

[mikeecix]

Ok, so I switched off VoLTE in Settings and then recieved a SMS to say "Welcome, you are roaming on AT&T. Due to network technology compatibility, traditional voice calls will not work. Please use data, SMS and app-based calling".

Switched it back on again after going into flight mode and back again but no change for me - still no calling capability. Will need someone else with a different/newer phone to confirm whether VoLTE is working properly for voice or not.

[mikeecix]

Thanks @anuraagpaul makes sense although quite frustrating that I now need to get a new handset (or manually switch to TMobile to make/receive calls and only have Edge speeds).
In terms of knowing which handsets suport VoLTE 4G calling while roaming, is there any way of checking before going out to buy a new handset as I don;t want to blindly get a Note 10 or 20 etc without being sure it will work?

[anuraagpaul]

@mikeecix I wouldn’t know I’m afraid, even with phones releasing their specifications wouldn’t even bother to put such a spec on there, it would just be too technical to bother. 

I can only assume the Galaxy models from the S21 range upwards would work fine, it’s more likely with them, The S22 range at the least HAS to support it, I’d be baffled if this feature hasn’t been enabled on the latest set of flagships.

The only suggestion for me is I think that all phone networks need to put a compatible list of phones which will support VoLTE roaming whilst abroad to make life a lot easier for the consumer under their roaming section of their help page. I get that this would entail a lot of hard work from their end but if they really want to excel as a phone network, then little things like this can make sure they can go a long way.

They’ve stepped back many steps in my opinion, roaming wise, all networks would put a list of roaming network partners per country which they have an agreement with, these days, nothing like this is to be seen which I find bizarre, but welcome to the modern world eyh!

[Jaydun68]

Hi

Any official confirmation from Vodafone that VoLTE/4G calling has been activated for its customers roaming in the USA and that it actually works please?

[Beth]

@Jaydun68 VoLTE/4G Calling for USA Roaming went live on 15th September 2022. If this isn't working for you, we've been advised to recommend that you process a manual roam and try to connect to AT&T 4G network. For device guides with help on how to perform a manual roam, please click here 🙂