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Does the Verizon Note 4 allow simultaneous voice and data like the S5 and, basically, all prior android devices on Verizon? Or is it like the Droid Turbo / 2014 Moto X where it won't be doing voice/data at the same time until it receives the VoLTE update?
Yes i am sure it does...even the note 3 did.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
art90262 said:
Yes i am sure it does...even the note 3 did.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
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I appreciate that, but the same can be said for the Droid Maxx and original X, and the new ones don't do it. Forgive me for being anal, but do you have one in hand or were you saying that just b/c of the Note 3?
jntdroid said:
Does the Verizon Note 4 allow simultaneous voice and data like the S5 and, basically, all prior android devices on Verizon? Or is it like the Droid Turbo / 2014 Moto X where it won't be doing voice/data at the same time until it receives the VoLTE update?
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Click to collapse
It does, I tried it.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk 2
Voice and data at the same time have been available since Verizon brought out 4g LTE service. If you're in a LTE service area (most of the country with Verizon).... Then voice goes over the old CDMA network and data is on lte. And you can use both at the same time.
VoLTE is different, and is being rolled out to devices.
Sent From The Darkside Sucka's!
mwshows said:
Voice and data at the same time have been available since Verizon brought out 4g LTE service. If you're in a LTE service area (most of the country with Verizon).... Then voice goes over the old CDMA network and data is on lte. And you can use both at the same time.
VoLTE is different, and is being rolled out to devices.
Sent From The Darkside Sucka's!
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Any idea when we can expect volte update?
mwshows said:
Voice and data at the same time have been available since Verizon brought out 4g LTE service. If you're in a LTE service area (most of the country with Verizon).... Then voice goes over the old CDMA network and data is on lte. And you can use both at the same time.
VoLTE is different, and is being rolled out to devices.
Sent From The Darkside Sucka's!
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Only on Android devices (most, not all), and only because they built a "dual" antenna/radio setup on the snapdragon chipsets. But for whatever reason on the new X and Turbo, they went away from that. So the only way to have that function again is with the somewhat unreliable VoLTE.
Thanks for confirming the Note 4 still can...
Was going to say. I have been able to since s3 & first time was with HTC Thunderbolt
Pretty much since lte service
Moved to Q&A.
mwshows said:
Voice and data at the same time have been available since Verizon brought out 4g LTE service. If you're in a LTE service area (most of the country with Verizon).... Then voice goes over the old CDMA network and data is on lte. And you can use both at the same time.
VoLTE is different, and is being rolled out to devices.
Sent From The Darkside Sucka's!
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Click to collapse
Note: This is NOT true for the Motorola Droid Turbo. I have one. I'm returning it for several reasons, this being one. The only way to get simultaneous voice and data is VoLTE which isn't available on the Turbo yet.
I think all Samsung smartphones on Vzw does. Well, every 4G LTE Samsung... and HTC, right?
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---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------
Daciple said:
Was going to say. I have been able to since s3 & first time was with HTC Thunderbolt
Pretty much since lte service
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Yeah, some phones don't and I'm not sure why. Lower end phones don't either, like iphones for exemple
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The iPhone 6 do have volte but you have to enable it. The downside is that your voice quality could be impacted if your data connection sucked. Didn't sound like a feature that turns on/off automatically with all the warning messages it gave me.
boscoh said:
Note: This is NOT true for the Motorola Droid Turbo. I have one. I'm returning it for several reasons, this being one. The only way to get simultaneous voice and data is VoLTE which isn't available on the Turbo yet.
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Wow I was not aware they still made phones that don't do voice/data at the same time!! Learn something new every day LOL. Thanks for the info though.... Good to know that kind of info.
Seriously who would make a phone that takes a step backwards....
Sent From The Darkside Sucka's!
cdmoore74 said:
The iPhone 6 do have volte but you have to enable it. The downside is that your voice quality could be impacted if your data connection sucked. Didn't sound like a feature that turns on/off automatically with all the warning messages it gave me.
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And if your LTE hiccups, you lose your call completely...
Ah, iPhones! I remember having a Blackberry, they both have/had potential. Just lack on progressing in innovation & giving users opportunity to help them grow.
I see Windows phones being a bigger threat to Androids innovation & expansions sooner than Apple here before long. Can't just hold on to ideas, you run with them!
jntdroid said:
Does the Verizon Note 4 allow simultaneous voice and data like the S5 and, basically, all prior android devices on Verizon? Or is it like the Droid Turbo / 2014 Moto X where it won't be doing voice/data at the same time until it receives the VoLTE update?
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Click to collapse
Note Edge user here and I am really really trying to wrap my head around not being able to simultaneously talk and be on the net without voLTE.
I mean I can multitask windows and can send a text when I'm on the phone.
Excruciating.
yosteve said:
Note Edge user here and I am really really trying to wrap my head around not being able to simultaneously talk and be on the net without voLTE.
I mean I can multitask windows and can send a text when I'm on the phone.
Excruciating.
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Whats excruciating to me is the fact that on my Galaxy Note 4, I could be on a call and surf at the same time on the 4g network. On my Verizon Galaxy Note Edge, I cannot. Thats nuts!
I may have to turn on advanced calling if I want this feature.
I call using Google Hangout dialer. Voice and data works fine like that.
yosteve said:
Note Edge user here and I am really really trying to wrap my head around not being able to simultaneously talk and be on the net without voLTE.
I mean I can multitask windows and can send a text when I'm on the phone.
Excruciating.
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Click to collapse
cbdudek said:
Whats excruciating to me is the fact that on my Galaxy Note 4, I could be on a call and surf at the same time on the 4g network. On my Verizon Galaxy Note Edge, I cannot. Thats nuts!
I may have to turn on advanced calling if I want this feature.
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It's due to the antenna setup.
In order for voice and data to function simultaneously on Verizon without VoLTE, there has to be two separate antennas - one for CDMA and one for LTE. Some of Verizon's recent devices (such as the Note Edge and Droid Turbo) only have one shared antenna, meaning that only CDMA or LTE can run, not both. It's certainly frustrating for many users, and while Verizon's reasoning for this makes some sense, it's still not great at this time for those who use the feature. With the network moving toward LTE-only with VoLTE, Verizon's reasoning is in part based on this - why include additional hardware at additional cost and space (a second antenna) to run voice and data simultaneously when the same feature can be achieved with one antenna and VoLTE? Of course, VoLTE isn't completely ready for prime time, and they're still working out issues, so for many it's not a true replacement at this point. But that's a big reason why some of Verizon's recent phones can't do simultaneous voice and data without VoLTE - Verizon is trying to pave the way for VoLTE adoption.
Which NEW phones support Voice and Data (WITHOUT) using VoLTE... I have a 2013 Moto X that supports this, and refuse to upgrade until I can find a new device that does support this -- where can I find this data? I would imagine some phone (like a Nexus 5X) might support this since it's not made specifically for Verizon? And before it gets asked, VoLTE is too unreliable for my needs --- when using it on my work iPhone 6S calls drop constantly, so I've had to disable it... but still need voice AND data at once. Any resources / sites listing which devices support this feature would be really helpful.
I just noticed that I cant use the phone and surf the internet at the same time?? Is anyone having this problem? And if so is there a fix??
Thanks
It's not a problem, it's designed that way. None of the Spark devices have that capability unless you're running Wi-Fi for data while on a call, or using VOIP.
That sucks, just when you give sprint some hope they do this! If I had known I might have stayed with them after 15 years with them.
claude9039u said:
I just noticed that I cant use the phone and surf the internet at the same time?? Is anyone having this problem? And if so is there a fix??
Thanks
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On 3g you can. The gf and I tested it last night. 3g yes you can.
jhill110 said:
On 3g you can. The gf and I tested it last night. 3g yes you can.
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You were using Google voice or some other VOIP service. It is physically impossible to run a CDMA voice call and data at the same time on a Spark device. It doesn't have the hardware to do this. Try it again with Wi-Fi turned off and without using your VOIP service.
jhill110 said:
On 3g you can. The gf and I tested it last night. 3g yes you can.
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I might be missing a setting or something because I can't.
pilotmills said:
You were using Google voice or some other VOIP service. It is physically impossible to run a CDMA voice call and data at the same time on a Spark device. It doesn't have the hardware to do this. Try it again with Wi-Fi turned off and without using your VOIP service.
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Straight up call. It works. Give it a try. Btw, no VOIP. What would be the point?
---------- Post added 20th November 2014 at 12:25 AM ---------- Previous post was 19th November 2014 at 11:53 PM ----------
DarkManX4lf said:
I might be missing a setting or something because I can't.
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Make sure you are not in LTE mode. 3g and it will work.
Is there a way to make it automatically switch down to 3G when on a call, instead of losing the data connection completely? I was really surprised when I discovered this issue present on the Note 4 which did not exist on the Note 3.
You're wasting your time. It doesn't work unless you're using a VOIP service. It's a Spark device limitation. I have yet to actually see any kind of proof that this guy is making calls and using data at the same time. Perhaps it's because it's not possible on the Note 4 on Sprint.
Doesnt work for me.. 3G only.. in a call...NO data!!
pilotmills said:
You're wasting your time. It doesn't work unless you're using a VOIP service. It's a Spark device limitation. I have yet to actually see any kind of proof that this guy is making calls and using data at the same time. Perhaps it's because it's not possible on the Note 4 on Sprint.
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Pardon me pilot but your flat out wrong. I use data often while taking in cdma mode (3g) . No VOIP of any kind... Just sprints network.
Do you even have a GN4 to try it out? Doesn't sound like it.
Interesting that you seem to be the only one that's ever gotten this to work. Go to the play store and install the signal check app (lite or pro). You don't even have to try to use data, just make a call, open the app, take a screen shot and post it here, then we can discuss.
Sent from my Evo 4G <bwaaaa>
He has a special note 4 made just for him that allows data..
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 12:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 AM ----------
The only devices that did simultaneous voice and 3g data were the Evo LTE, GS3 and Viper. No CDMA before or after could do it. Spark devices are not an exemption.. No voice and data till voice over LTE rolls out which won't be anytime soon.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks for actually understanding Spark devices and their limitations, unlike some others. Still waiting for a screenshot. I guess the photoshopping is proving more challenging than he expected. . .
Sprint could never truly do voice and data simultaneously. The only time it could was on previous LTE devices since there were two separate antennas. 3G and lower antenna and the 4G LTE antenna. Currently LTE on sprint is purely data. So while you were on a call, the LTE antenna was free to be used.
Spark phones only have one antenna to handle everything. It is a one lane highway and will be that way until VoLTE.
kjhud said:
Sprint could never truly do voice and data simultaneously. The only time it could was on previous LTE devices since there were two separate antennas. 3G and lower antenna and the 4G LTE antenna. Currently LTE on sprint is purely data. So while you were on a call, the LTE antenna was free to be used.
Spark phones only have one antenna to handle everything. It is a one lane highway and will be that way until VoLTE.
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That wasnt the only time. The 3 devices i mentioned ealrier did data on 3g and voice simultaneously although as fast as they came up with that they also ended it too. But yup on the VoLTE.
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No simultaneous phone call and data is probably my only complaint with the Note 4. Coming from the Note 2 and I could talk on the phone and browse the web on 3G/LTE at the same time without missing a beat. I really miss that. Now evrytime I get a call while i'm browsing the web etc, I get a blank white screen with a error message. The biggest flaw with the phone in my opinion!
I read there are some issues with the Galaxy S6 and some newer phones on Verizon being unable to do native simultaneous voice + data. I think because of a limit of the # of radios and/or antennas. What can we expect with the 5X on VZW? Thank you!
All new phones can do simultaneous voice and data only with VoLTE or while connected to WiFi. When connected to LTE (and no VoLTE) or 3G data they will drop to CDMA 1X if a call comes in. This is because they only have one antenna pathway and one radio. If they had a separate radio for LTE (like done older phones) it would drain battery almost twice as fast since mobile connection is one of your larger battery users.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
_Dennis_ said:
All new phones can do simultaneous voice and data only with VoLTE or while connected to WiFi. When connected to LTE (and no VoLTE) or 3G data they will drop to CDMA 1X if a call comes in. This is because they only have one antenna pathway and one radio. If they had a separate radio for LTE (like done older phones) it would drain battery almost twice as fast since mobile connection is one of your larger battery users.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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Ugh, what I feared. How do people do Nav and have phone calls at the same time? Is this going to work with VZW VoLTE on day one? May have made sense to design with two radios and two antennas and only activate the second one when necessary?
hytekjosh said:
Ugh, what I feared. How do people do Nav and have phone calls at the same time? Is this going to work with VZW VoLTE on day one? May have made sense to design with two radios and two antennas and only activate the second one when necessary?
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Click to collapse
Any time LTE is on the second would have to be on, or it wouldn't be able to seamlessly take the call, so that wouldn't have worked.
If your call isn't very long navigation would still work fine, it caches a bit in case of signal drop. The other option would be to download the route ahead of time, Google can do it now I think.
I have a feeling it should have VoLTE though, which would give you voice and data.
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/03/1...e-and-data-now-works-on-nexus-6-with-verizon/
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
_Dennis_ said:
Any time LTE is on the second would have to be on, or it wouldn't be able to seamlessly take the call, so that wouldn't have worked.
If your call isn't very long navigation would still work fine, it caches a bit in case of signal drop. The other option would be to download the route ahead of time, Google can do it now I think.
I have a feeling it should have VoLTE though, which would give you voice and data.
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/03/1...e-and-data-now-works-on-nexus-6-with-verizon/
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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Will the same limitations be on each carrier (ie. if I switch to AT&T I still need to use VoLTE for simultaneous voice + data)? Thank you!!
hytekjosh said:
Will the same limitations be on each carrier (ie. if I switch to AT&T I still need to use VoLTE for simultaneous voice + data)? Thank you!!
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Nope, the way GSM and CDMA works are different. Say you don't have VoLTE and are on an LTE connection. The tower also has a spot for you on HSPDA and GSM if on Tmo or AT&T, or on CDMA if on Sprint or Verizon. If you get a call you fallback to HSPDA or GSM. A similar thing happens on CDMA. The difference is CDMA can't do voice and data on the same connection, GSM and HSPDA can do both.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
_Dennis_ said:
Nope, the way GSM and CDMA works are different. Say you don't have VoLTE and are on an LTE connection. The tower also has a spot for you on HSPDA and GSM if on Tmo or AT&T, or on CDMA if on Sprint or Verizon. If you get a call you fallback to HSPDA or GSM. A similar thing happens on CDMA. The difference is CDMA can't do voice and data on the same connection, GSM and HSPDA can do both.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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Really wish phones included a Ev radio so this would not be an issue. I wonder if the voice quality/codec on AT&T has improved over the years? Last I used them their voice quality was far inferior to VZW. May be time to consider a carrier switch.
I've not had problems with voice quality, the few times I call on AT&T. They weren't as good as Sprint (their new network has simply amazing voice quality, and data was OK lol).
Mostly I use Google voice via hangouts to make calls, so the network data is more important then voice quality.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
_Dennis_ said:
All new phones can do simultaneous voice and data only with VoLTE or while connected to WiFi. When connected to LTE (and no VoLTE) or 3G data they will drop to CDMA 1X if a call comes in. This is because they only have one antenna pathway and one radio. If they had a separate radio for LTE (like done older phones) it would drain battery almost twice as fast since mobile connection is one of your larger battery users.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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How new? My S4 gets simultaneous voice/data on lte, but not on 3g. Are you sure you're right about this?
Well, the S4 is not a new phone. And yes I'm certain without advanced calling (or VoLTE) you will not have voice and data on LTE at the same time.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Something I'm just realizing...I have a lot of friends and offices that have cell phone amplifier / extender systems that only repeat 3G not LTE. With no 3G radio this phone will be only able to do 1x for voice/data?! I think its also crazy that pure data devices such as the MiFi/personal hotspots still include ability to do EvDo Rev A yet phones don't!
jackdubl said:
How new? My S4 gets simultaneous voice/data on lte, but not on 3g. Are you sure you're right about this?
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Click to collapse
The S4 had extra antennas unlike the newer phones because of VoLTE. The S4 had both radios on at the same time which eats more battery on a call with VoLTE you have improved battery life during a call and do both at the same time. The move was intentional to save costs as well as battery life in the long run.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
I just got my Nexus 5X up and running on verizon. With my Galaxy Nexus I was about to take a phone call while tethering, but can't do that on this phone. Is there a fix for this? It's kind of a bummer because I tether often and take phone calls.
Edit: (12/18/2015) I figured it out. Chatted with VZW tech support to enable HD voice feature, and made sure "enhanced LTE mode" was on in settings. Voice+Data work simultaneously now!
Update: (1/19/2016) I have still intermittently had issues with simultaneously voice+data. I started to wonder if it could depend on who you are calling or what tower you are connected to. I powered down my phone and pulled the sim card for a few seconds, then rebooted and it worked again.
I finally upgraded from my HTC One M7, and I can't make phone calls and surf the web while on 4G anymore! I did a little Googling and found out it's because Sprint's Spark network doesn't support VoLTE. And from what I'm reading, it seems like Sprint phones only have one radio.
Is there a way around this? Does the HTC 10 for Sprint maybe have all radios, but they're disabled and you can gain access with root? Maybe I can do away with LTE and just go back to classic 4G & CDMA?
Thanks!
DiZzyBonne said:
I finally upgraded from my HTC One M7, and I can't make phone calls and surf the web while on 4G anymore! I did a little Googling and found out it's because Sprint's Spark network doesn't support VoLTE. And from what I'm reading, it seems like Sprint phones only have one radio.
Is there a way around this? Does the HTC 10 for Sprint maybe have all radios, but they're disabled and you can gain access with root? Maybe I can do away with LTE and just go back to classic 4G & CDMA?
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
Right now Sprint does not support VoLTE with any of their current devices. Sprint put all of their time and effort into the Sprint Spark project. When Sprint started the Spark project they needed their devices to be Tri-Band devices which in turn removed the ability to use voice and data services at the same time. The HTC 10 is a VoLTE certified device and is capable of WiFi Calling as well with other carriers. Based on an article I read earlier from www.S4GRU.com, the only device that Sprint has that is VoLTE certified with the FCC is the LG G5. If you want to be able to use voice and data services at the same time with Sprint you will have to use an older device like your M7 that is not a Tri-Band device. Another Sprint device that can use voice and data services at the same time is the Galaxy S3 (SPH-L710) and the early
S4 (SPH-L720). If either of those devices have a "T" at the end of their number it means they are Tri-Band devices. Hope this helps. I feel your frustration with Sprint and VoLTE. My wife and I have been with Sprint for iver 15 years and have a grandfathered unlimited data plan that she wont get rid of. So, when the Galaxy S3 from Sprint made it to the end of its useful life with me I switched carriers so i could have VoLTE and my wife can keep Sprint.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA-Developers mobile app
You can achieve voice and data with Google's Hangout Dialer. The call is placed over data so you can use data during the call. Granted, you need to set up a Google voice number, but it achieves the purpose.
This is the reason I ditched CDMA all together and went GSM. (My MVNO has both, so it was an easy switch.)
Getting far better data rates (cable speeds rather than dial-up speeds) with a weak signal was an unexpected bonus.
Hello everyone.
I'm new here and this is my newest phone purchase after weeks and weeks of research I decided to purchase this phone. However I'm having one big problem. I cannot receive phone calls using the phone. However I can send text messages which is strange and when I try to talk to someone it switches to 2G for no real reason too.
It's fully updated and completely stock in fact just purchased three days ago. I'm wondering what I could do so I can get this thing working again. I have 30 days to return this thing, and I rather not because its a rather good phone and I like it a lot but if I can't get it to receive phone calls then I have to return it.
please help anyone.
Dallas Texas said:
Hello everyone.
I'm new here and this is my newest phone purchase after weeks and weeks of research I decided to purchase this phone. However I'm having one big problem. I cannot receive phone calls using the phone. However I can send text messages which is strange and when I try to talk to someone it switches to 2G for no real reason too.
It's fully updated and completely stock in fact just purchased three days ago. I'm wondering what I could do so I can get this thing working again. I have 30 days to return this thing, and I rather not because its a rather good phone and I like it a lot but if I can't get it to receive phone calls then I have to return it.
please help anyone.
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Click to collapse
Try installing the t-mobile visual voicemail app, there maybe settings in there you can adjust, only if your U.S though.
boe323 said:
Try installing the t-mobile visual voicemail app, there maybe settings in there you can adjust, only if your U.S though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem check the apn settings my was the stock tmo setting with the phone and a . Was in the wrong spot
boe323 said:
Try installing the t-mobile visual voicemail app, there maybe settings in there you can adjust, only if your U.S though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rob420p said:
I had the same problem check the apn settings my was the stock tmo setting with the phone and a . Was in the wrong spot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright I'll try and install the T-mobile visual voicemail app and see what is good
APN settings yes? I have tried that and tried inputting a manual one and even the ones on there which has three types of T-mobile settings
I'm not an expert on this but I have been looking for info on this for a while before I buy an A2 Lite to use on T-Mobile and I believe this post by a T-Mobile MVNO customer service rep may answer your question
The TLDR is that T-Mobile strictly uses band 12 for all VoLTE calls and if the phone doesn't support band 12/VoLTE T-Mobile forces it to use 2G for calls and texts. In some areas where the spectrum has been refarmed and there are a lot of 2G users your incoming call will time out before the tower finishes searching for you on VoLTE and ultimately tries to connect you to 2G, resulting in your phone not actually ringing.
This would also explain why there are no issues with texts, since they don't time out like an incoming call. Apparently there is no solution to this if you live in certain areas and use T-Mobile, and it will continue to get worse as spectrum is refarmed.
Sorry for the delay -- I'm technically off today. I saw you question and just had to pop in and answer, because I have a complete answer for you. Your issue is band compatibility, specifically the lack of Band 12. Let me explain:
For years and years, T-Mobile sent all their calls over the legacy 2G network on 1900MHz. Every call and text message went over this frequency, and all T-Mobile phones still support it for backwards compatibility.
Then, T-Mobile launched Voice over LTE, or VoLTE. But, they made the stipulation that VoLTE would only ever work on LTE Band 12. That means that any phone that didn't specifically have Band 12 LTE would still have to use the 2G 1900MHz frequency to send all calls and text messages. Any phone that did support Band 12 could use VoLTE and would send all their calls and texts through that VoLTE Band 12 connection.
That's not really a problem for most people, as T-Mobile's 2G network is still live in all their markets. These phones will connect to the LTE network for all data, but all their calls and texts go over that 2G connection.
Enter the problem: Spectrum crunch. Spectrum in the US is a limited resource. That's why the auctions always for it always go for millions of dollars for tiny portions. T-Mobile (and by extension, all its MVNOs, as we have no power over how they build their network) wants to make LTE the new standard, and push into 5G. In order to do that, they need to launch LTE in more places, and feed more devices than ever. They only have so much spectrum, so they reallocate what they already have to the new technology.
This is already happening with 3G. 2G is, again, just being kept around for backwards compatibility. They take the sectors that broadcast 3G (and 2G) and make them smaller and smaller, so the rest of the room can be used for LTE to service more devices faster. It makes business sense.
The process is called "re-farming" spectrum, and a quick Google search quickly becomes a rabbit hole as you find other people in your circumstance. They put the disused services on tiny little slivers of spectrum, some as small as 5MHz, which without getting too technical, is tiny.
If you happen to be unlucky enough live in an area where they're re-farming 2G spectrum to LTE, and your phone doesn't support VoLTE on Band 12, you're effectively fighting all the other T-Mobile (really any carrier, but for arguments' sake) customers whose devices also need to connect to that 2G network
Add enough people, and you get the problem you're having. A call comes into the network, and the towers go to work trying to find you. First, they try VoLTE, and don't find you there. Then they try the old 2G network, but there's like 200 other people in your area that are connected to that one tower, so it has to fight through them all to find your SIM card number and connect the call and-- right before it connects, the call times out of rings and your caller is sent to Voicemail.
You never get a missed call alert, your caller isn't alerted that your phone didn't ring, and because your phone didn't get a confirmation, you probably won't get a voicemail notification.
This doesn't affect the phone's ability to connect to the 3G network or 4G LTE Bands 2 and 4, which lots of phones support. But calls and texts don't travel over those networks. You'll still have an active, working data connection if this is what's happening to you, which is why it's hard to diagnose not just for Ting reps, but our customers and other MVNOs, as well as T-Mobile itself.
This problem isn't going to go away, and it's only going to get worse as re-farming 2G goes nationwide. It's not Ting-specific. Any T-Mobile device will have this problem if there are enough 2G-talk-and-text users in your area.
The phone in question, the Blu Vivo 5, supports Band 2 and Band 4 for LTE, but doesn't support Band 12, and thus doesn't support VoLTE. This is exactly what's happening to you.
This is exactly how it happened to my S/O. She had a Motorola Droid Mini on Ting GSM that worked great for years, on two distinct T-Mobile-powered networks. Then, T-Mobile re-farmed enough 2G in our area that she started missing calls, texts wouldn't arrive and she wouldn't get voicemails. The key identifier that this was her problem was that placing a call would take something like 10-15 seconds to connect. Typically, this should be instant.
There was nothing wrong with the phone at all -- it was working as designed. The second I got her into a Band 12 VoLTE phone, the problems disappeared completely. Nothing else changed.
The only solution is a new (or new-to-you) phone that supports Band 12 and VoLTE. No number of hard resets, network resets or new SIM cards will fix this problem. You'll have this problem on any network that uses T-Mobile as their backbone, as long as the phone you're using doesn't support Band 12 LTE and VoLTE.
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I don't have a high enough post count to post a link but it was posted on r/Ting if you search that subreddit for the thread titled "Over 4 years and now this" you should find it. The info was written by u/literallyunlimited.
D412 said:
I'm not an expert on this but I have been looking for info on this for a while before I buy an A2 Lite to use on T-Mobile and I believe this post by a T-Mobile MVNO customer service rep may answer your question
The TLDR is that T-Mobile strictly uses band 12 for all VoLTE calls and if the phone doesn't support band 12/VoLTE T-Mobile forces it to use 2G for calls and texts. In some areas where the spectrum has been refarmed and there are a lot of 2G users your incoming call will time out before the tower finishes searching for you on VoLTE and ultimately tries to connect you to 2G, resulting in your phone not actually ringing.
This would also explain why there are no issues with texts, since they don't time out like an incoming call. Apparently there is no solution to this if you live in certain areas and use T-Mobile, and it will continue to get worse as spectrum is refarmed.
I don't have a high enough post count to post a link but it was posted on r/Ting if you search that subreddit for the thread titled "Over 4 years and now this" you should find it. The info was written by u/literallyunlimited.
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Thanks fam, I'll return it and get another phone I appreciate the information brother.