topic Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans in Mobile Network discussions

EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

RR-THE-IT-GUY — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 15:43:57 GMT

Hi Team EE.

I have a quick query, with the pending 3G switch off and some of your MVNO's using the 3G network for calls, what is the plan to enable these operators to use VOLTE to prevent issues of uses on these networks from being disconnected when trying to make calls?

I believe the 2G network is not being switched off however am conscious that the deadline that your aiming for in January 2024 is just around the corner.

I have been advised by the MVNO in question that no plans have been made for this as yet however wish to get a conformation from EE when they will include the VOLTE as standard for the MVNO's so EE can complete the discontinuation of 3G and 2G in future.

Please let me know if this is a disconnection to have with BT wholesale or MBNL (however I suspect MBNL is not required for this query)

Many thanks,

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

bristolian — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 15:55:29 GMT

The 2G network remains fully supported for now, with new equipment still being installed. CSFB will continue onto 2G1800 for any non-VoLTE compatible device/SIM once 3G2100 is retired next year.

Whether the VoLTE-non-compliance is due to a legacy device or an MVNO, is immaterial. Specific details within MVNO-contracts would be confidential between the two parties, save where allowed for marketing purposes.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

RR-THE-IT-GUY — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 17:16:28 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for your message, its still not an ideal situation, I was more getting at is BT Wholesale going to implement the VoLTE as standard instead of an added service as other providers have additional "modules" and packs that get added on as in theory if this is done the existing MVNOs should gain this advantage?

For a company looking to be advanced with technology it looks to be holding back on MVNOs until the last second.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

bristolian — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 18:03:35 GMT

Unless you're at a commercial level in either BT-W or their customer in question, you're unlikely to get an answer to that.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

RR-THE-IT-GUY — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 18:05:45 GMT

I will send some emails and may be able to get some answers from some contacts at both levels.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

whiskerp — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 16:57:15 GMT

It looks like a number of EE MNVOs such as Now and Lycamobile are just getting 2G calls now and have lost HD calling and of course data stops dead during a call.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

BUGGERLUGZ — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:56:08 GMT

I'm currently suffering from some calls going direct to voicemail on the RWG Mobile/NOW due to the very fact that 3G has been disabled and voLTE isn't available. Apparently EE is working to rectify the issue, but honestly who missed the boat at EE understanding the very concept that turning off 3G wouldn't severely impact calls made to and from those on its MVNO it sold without that feature enabled?

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

whiskerp — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:02:20 GMT

TBH it's up to the MVNOs to get their act together. 2G doesn't support HD AMR-WB voice either unlike 3G. 1p mobile, Spusu and others now have VoLTE+b20 and VoWiFi. Now Mobile and Lyca Mobile just haven't got their act together.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

bristolian — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:07:08 GMT

@BUGGERLUGZ wrote:

who missed the boat at EE

How can you be so sure that the issue has been caused by someone at the host MNO "missing the boat"?

There are other reasons for the current situation. Your point of contact for complaints is your service provider, which is not EE.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

BUGGERLUGZ — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:17:51 GMT

You could look at it that way, but it was EE who decided to turn off its 3G, not my service provider, and I didn't get the issue until then. So equally, EE selling services without certain functions knowing damn well it'd impact those companies you sold those services (without those functions) too once you switched off 3G should have some bearing of responsibility here too, no?

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

bristolian — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:27:10 GMT

If you're not a direct customer of EE, then they haven't sold you anything. Your MVNO supplier has.

As per my previous comment, not all technical issues are caused by anyone necessarily "missing the boat" - unforeseen problems can often cause them too.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

whiskerp — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:29:37 GMT

It's absolutely nothing to do with EE. All operators are required to turn off 3G - EE and Vodafone have gone first. A few MVNOs have failed to add VoLTE to their offering. It's up to them if they wish to offer a crap service. EE will undoubtedly provide them IMS services if they can get their act together to contract them. They've had years of notice about this.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

Chris_B — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:28:01 GMT

@BUGGERLUGZ Your totally right there it wasn’t your service provider who turned off 3G. EE got to the point where they had already give their customers plenty of notice that 3G was being switched off and proceeded to do so. What agreement you have with your MVNO provider has nothing to do with EE and that service provided. Your issue is with your provider for failing you.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

RR-THE-IT-GUY — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 18:34:55 GMT

Hi All,

I am happy to annonce that LycaMobile has introduced VOLTE and 5G calling as of this weekend.

Please see:

https://www.lycamobile.co.uk/en/3g-switch-off/

It took some emails but I got to the person that was concerned on their side and was informed of the plan I can confirm that the calling is working over the 5G and VOLTE.

Kind regards,

RR-THE-IT-GUY

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

Bertiebassett1 — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:32:27 GMT

Hi there RR

I am with Lyca because it uses the EE network but sadly (even to this day) it misses the majority of incoming calls because my phone (pixel 7 pro) struggles to get down to 2g quick enough.

I don't think they can have rolled it out yet?

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

bristolian — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:49:16 GMT

Lycamobile have announced this feature, but I have seen evidence of issues.

Your point-of-contact would be Lyca, not EE.

Re: EE Partner MVNO VOLTE - WiFI Calling plans

whiskerp — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:50:44 GMT

This spreadsheet is useful : https://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/threads/network-spec-spreadsheet.40566/

Lyca VoLTE is on their own IMS and has no HD peering despite AMR-WB always being on. They haven't got VoWiFi working yet. They don't have B20.

Spusu also seem to run their own IMS without any HD peering but with AMR-WB switched on permanently. At least their VoWiFi works but their voicemail setup is weird. I believe they have B20 access.

The only non-BT MVNOs with a full service profile (5G, VoLTE, VoWiFi, HD, HD+, B20) running on the EE IMS are 1p Mobile, Popit and CMLink.