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The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL just got a surprise update to help with VoLTE roaming
Enjoy one extra update on the house
Those of you hanging onto a Pixel 3 or 3 XL have some reason to celebrate today. Google, in its magnanimity, has bequeathed the pair of 2018-era phones with an extra update, as previously promised to address VoLTE roaming in the wake of the 2G and 3G network shutdowns. The pair of phones got their last expected update back in February, just after the three-year guarantee expired. The build number for this new version is also substantially similar to prior releases, with two different images available once again — one for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone AU, and one for everyone else.
Google's June security update ensures recent Pixels will be able to make VoLTE calls
It also lets Pixel owners make cellular calls while roaming domestically or around the world
The death of 2G and 3G networks means support for Voice over LTE on the carrier and the device sides will be crucial going forward. After all, VoIP apps aren't a universal salve, especially if you're trying to reach emergency services. For Google's part, it's making sure owners of its recent Pixel phones are able to use VoLTE no matter where they are.
T-Mobile's 3G shutdown is back on schedule for October
Also, Sprint's LTE network now has an end date
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In its bid to keep on the forefront of the 5G race in the United States, T-Mobile hasn't made its plans to kill off its and Sprint's 3G networks exactly loud and clear, but we had a good idea of when the ball would start rolling and when it would finish. Well, that was until the plans apparently changed, before shifting again just a few months later.
Cricket starts winding down 3G network, presenting a big problem for BYOD customers
Unsupported devices won't be able to be activated starting next week
If you're still using an old, non-LTE-capable phone on Cricket, we have bad news: the company will be shutting down its 3G UMTS networks in February 2022. Additionally, customers will no longer be able to activate their unsupported devices on Cricket starting January 19th, which is only a few days away. Because of the way Cricket handles BYOD phones, this is a real problem.
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Based on internal documents from T-Mobile given to Android Police, some older devices, including the OnePlus One, Xperia Z3 series, and Nexus 9, will be unable to connect to the company's network beginning on January 29th. 19 devices, including phones, tablets, and even cameras, are named by the document. Affected customers will be notified by SMS beginning on December 28th, and will be able to upgrade to one of four phones for free.
This week we learned that both AT&T and T-Mobile plan to make VoLTE a hard requirement for their networks in the next couple years. Folks using older phones that don't support the technology will be left behind if they don't upgrade. Most recent phones do support VoLTE, though some enthusiasts running custom ROMs or using imported devices might be in trouble. We're curious how many of our readers might be affected by this change, so: Does your phone support VoLTE (HD Voice) on your carrier?
If your T-Mobile phone doesn't have VoLTE, you could get kicked off the network soon
Metro by T-Mobile will also be affected, along with MVNOs like Google Fi, Mint, and Ting (Update: T-Mobile statement)
According to internal T-Mobile documents obtained by Android Police, the carrier plans to fast track the shutdown of its 3G voice network, forcing some customers to buy new phones or leave the network in a matter months. Most carriers have already shut down their legacy 2G networks, so the frequencies can be re-used for LTE and 5G, and 3G's expiration date is now quickly approaching. AT&T started warning customers this week that phones without 4G voice calling would no longer work starting in 2022, and it now appears T-Mobile will be following suit with an even more aggressive timeline.
How to find out if your T-Mobile phone has VoLTE support
T-Mobile will shut out all incompatible devices next year
T-Mobile will stop activating phones on its network that don't support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) starting on August 4th of this year, and existing phones that aren't compatible will completely stop working on T-Mobile sometime in January 2021. The move doesn't give customers much time to replace their devices, especially if they're using a flagship phone and don't want to use something slower.
While a little late to the game, Sprint is finally joining its competitors in offering voice-over-LTE service, or VoLTE — but the rollout has a long way to go yet. So far, the soft launch targets 15 US markets and just three devices: the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, and S8 Active. The carrier will expand to more markets over the coming weeks.
We live in an era when phones often support a dozen or more LTE bands, making them functional on virtually all carriers. Simply working on a carrier might not be enough anymore. There are advanced network technologies like VoLTE and WiFi calling that require device makers and carriers to collaborate to test and certify phones. The GMSA has taken note of this clunky process, and is now working with its partners to develop an open standard for delivering carrier features to more phones.
If you're not a Sprint customer who's in-tune with all the carrier's quirks and features, you probably haven't heard of Calling PLUS. After all, only three phones currently support it - that is, until now. The LG G6 has become the fourth Sprint phone to support Calling PLUS with this latest update.
VoLTE and WiFi calling are both features that have existed on multiple carriers for some years now, but until now, Sprint devices haven't been able to use them in conjunction with each other, save for two rather unimportant devices. The latest updates for the Sprint Galaxy S8 and S8+ enable Calling PLUS, Sprint's lingo for its VoLTE - WiFi calling combo.
There's an update rolling out to the Axon 7 Mini today that will be of particular note to anyone using the phone on T-Mobile. This device is finally getting support for T-Mobile's VoLTE calling. There are a few other tweaks and improvements, but that depends on the version of the device you have. And no, it's not Nougat.
BLU doesn't have a particularly great reputation for its phones' software, and the recent discovery of spyware on its phones, including those sold in the US, certainly didn't help it. However, the company's popular R1 HD, best known for costing Amazon Prime members only $50, has just received an update with some nice improvements for T-Mobile customers.
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- Verizon has provided changelogs with more detailed information for both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, including how to activate Wi-Fi Calling. You can find the option under Settings > Advanced Calling > Activate Advanced Calling.
Last year Verizon Wireless launched Advanced Calling, a VoLTE service with video calling support on select phones. Now the carrier is pushing Advanced Calling 2.0. An over-the-air update is on its way to the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
Yesterday, the Nexus 6P appeared on T-Mobile's website as part of a list of devices certified for band 12 LTE on the operator's network. While we did not have direct confirmation from T-Mobile at the time, we went ahead and let you all know because, hey, it probably meant something. We reached out to T-Mobile on Twitter (along with readers) and have since had it clarified to us that this page does not reflect the current status of the 6P's band 12 certification.
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Soon after the announcements of Google's 2015 Nexus phones, it came to light that both of them would have band 12 on T-Mobile's network disabled at launch pending certification from the carrier. It now appears that the wait is over, at least for the Nexus 6P.
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Taking a look at the spec sheet for the new Nexus phones, you might notice that the LTE section lists band 12. However, this is by no means a guarantee of actual support anymore. T-Mobile has been leaning on unlocked device makers to block access to band 12 unless they get certified for VoLTE, and it looks like the new Nexus phones lack that. According to T-Mobile's Twitter account, neither phone will have band 12 enabled at launch.
AT&T introduced VoLTE roughly a year ago, and it has gradually expanded since. The ability to talk over an LTE connection has come to more markets and devices alike. But support isn't ubiquitous in either area, and hardware that doesn't ship with VoLTE out of the box needs a firmware update to make things work. Now it's the LG G3's turn.
Update: Here's a screenshot, courtesy of an Android Police reader.