Using a PAYG SIM to prove Network Coverage

[foxtrotmike]

Im also trying out EE PAYG to see if it is any better than my current provider

EE PAYG now has VoLTE and Wifi Calling in 2022 so wanted an update as to whether this now meant we had access to 800Mhz

i am confused as to whether this meant we could only access 800mhz (band 20) within 1800mhz coverage or solely 800Mhz    

[bristolian]

A VoLTE device/SIM combination is required to access Band 20 800Mhz coverage.

A non-VoLTE device/SIM has always been able to access 1800Mhz coverage, but 4G is then data-only, whereas voice calls would drop to 2G-1800 or 3G-2100. A VoLTE-device would remain on 4G throughout.

[foxtrotmike]

This is what i saw on my phone recently

[bristolian]

There's nothing in that screenshot that proves VoLTE either way.

LTE Band 1 is 4G on 2100Mhz, the other readouts aren't significant for what you're trying to test.

The important bit for you is whether your phone screen shows "VoLTE" or "4G-calling"

[foxtrotmike]

Its not really VoLTE i want to prove (i know that) its whether we have access to 800mhz

i think i read that 800mhz is needed for VoLTE but wasnt sure if that meant wider than that

forgive my ignorance. But its purely for interest and learning 

[bristolian]

VoLTE & 800Mhz are intertwined. VoLTE simply means "voice over 4G".

EE operate 4G on several different frequency bands, and on all except B20 (800Mhz), a non-VoLTE phone will fallback (using CSFB) to 2G or 3G for voice calls.

It is on B20 where there is no guarantee of 2G or 3G being available, hence the requirement for VoLTE in order to access 800Mhz service.