Tomorrow the 2g and 3g network is closed down by my carrier. Got a SMS where they warned me that my phone (BQ Aquaris X with e/OS 3.2) will be disconnected from making voice calls due to missing volte functionality.
Volte has been “on” in settings all the time. When changing “preferred network type” to “LTE only”, I cant even make a call today, before the 2G/3G shutdown.
I believe the phone is registered as a “Pixel 2” when connecting it to various services through microG. Perhaps its viewed as to old by the network carrier.
Every mobile service provider knows exactly, in near real time, which device you’re connecting with, just by the device’s IMEI as it connects to their network. Enter your IMEI into any online IMEI checker to see for yourself what a carrier sees about your make and model. Generally, a BQ would not identify as a Pixel, unless someone has somehow managed to mess with the encoded IMEI.
Not all devices are VoLTE-capable.
Devices that are VoLTE-capable are not necessarily VoLTE-capable with every mobile network provider.
A mobile service provider may disallow a device, based on its manufacturer and model number, if they determine that it is not authorized to use VoLTE on their network.
I don’t think the mobile service carrier has visibility into the particular custom ROM running on a device.
Greetings @John_L (and thanks to @tcecyk as well for the bump to the other thread, I hope it can be useful to others) - yes, Australia is experiencing the same thing as Sweden seems to be (basde on that PTS link posted). I think it might become a more pressing issue internationally as time passes.
Over here, sometimes it has been quite tricky for consumers to identify which of the non-mainstream devices are compatible with the shutdowns (and are indeed actually true-VoLTE compatible and don’t switch back when dialing), and, a lot of the device lists maintained by the telcos are not very comprehensive over here. (Sometimes, some telco helpline staff have also been just as lost or lacking in information too, which isn’t great).
Anyways, as the others have mentioned, better to check your device’s VoLTE compatability yourself, either in the settings or by using an IMEI-checker, or by any other means. Sorry to hear that your phone did not(?) end up being VoLTE compatible John. (Edit: I don’t think we have BQ in Australia)
If you are interested, I would highly recommend the many fantastic pieces on @JamesDwho’s Medium page - whilst these have background in the Australian context, they still provide plenty of information which might be applicable to your situation too perhaps, maybe have a read.
We have had people pass away here in Australia due to device compatibility issues, not being able to ring emergency services (in amongst other different network issues though). Admittedly, it has been quite upsetting to see the telcos put the blame and responsibility on the regular person, saying people need to ‘update devices’, especially when providing no helpful alternative for the users.
I guess we shall stay tuned as this starts to happen in different places across the world.
(Edit: I don’t think we have BQ in Australia)