X10iii’s - Android and SFOS do not work with VoLTE on any of the 3 carriers in NZ. (Several other people have tried with the 3 carriers, as well as me.)
My conclusion is that the phones probably don’t attempt to provision VoLTE in NZ
Using the app NetMon VoLTE shows VoLTE->Registration: disabled
Below is the carriers reply to me, to summarise it:
“…I have been advised that for VoLTE and VoWiFi to work on any carrier the device need to have the supported carrier settings … Yes, sometimes it is possible for the devices which are not in list but has generic VoLTE settings compatible to 2degrees network , to generate calls over 4G network.”
My question is now: How to either make the phone request provisioning (if it doesn’t)
or What information do I need to get from the carrier, and how to add it?
or Why does the SFOS version at least not have some generic volte setting?
Details:
I have two of the Sony X10III. One is an EU model running factory Android 12, the other an HK on running SFOS.
Using *#*#4636#*#*
(on Android) tells me that:
Preferred Network Type: NR/LTE/GSM/WCDMA
VoLTE Provisioned NO
Video Calling Provisioned NO
VoLTE Provisioned NO
Wifi Calling Provisioned NO
Enable DSDS YES
At the bottom of the screen are buttons labelled
CARRIER PROVISIONING INFO
TRIGGER CARRIER PROVISIONING
These are grey and appear to do nothing.
So the question is how to “trigger carrier provisioning” or perhaps manually
enter the required data, either into the factory Android version or into an
AOSP version? (I have two of these phones)
The other was an HK import. When running factory Android 11, it reported
exactly the same using *#*#4636#*#*
Here is what the carrier said:
In regards to VOLTE and VOWiFi , I have discussed your query with one of our Senior Technical Specialist and Device innovation Manager. I have been advised that for VoLTE and VoWiFi to work on any carrier the device need to have the supported carrier settings and ideally be tested and approved by that carrier. We cannot guarantee the service on any handsets we have not tested. As Sony is currently not in contract with us to support these settings in their handsets on 2degrees network, we can not do much in this .
Unfortunately, 2degrees do not blacklist or whitelist phones from working on our network as long as the phone supports our network configuration. This is not unique to us at all as every network is different and the services behind VoLTE and VOWiFi can be quite specific (particularly VoWiFi). You can raise your concerns to Sony in this case as Sony pulled out of the NZ market several years ago .
In regards to the Blackview BV9900, Android 10 , Yes, sometimes it is possible for the devices which are not in list but has generic VoLTE settings compatible to 2degrees network , to generate calls over 4G network. For VOWIFI , the process is quite different.
(@AlanBreen suggested activating the card in a working mobile phone for some carrier , though my carrier did not suggest this. )
(n.b We still have 3G, and the first carrier phase out has now been announced. However rural 4G coverage was funded by the government, and it appears that these sites don’t have 3G - so you have data, but no telephone or SMS function)