Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE now available on Lebara

KxMx

I've just been told it's compatible with all Android versions and the problem is my WiFi provider (Plusnet)

liggerz87

KxMx said:

I've just been told it's compatible with all Android versions and the problem is my WiFi provider (Plusnet)

There lying to you all the broadband does it provide internet to the outside world it's the mobile network that configeres it 

flaneurs_lobster

It's a combination of phone hardware & software together with how the mobile provider chooses to implement the service.

I''m guessing that Lebara could only allow phones running Android 12 to access wi-fi calling but I can't think of any reason why they would.

Random_Bod

I've used wifi calling at 2 places, ISP was Plusnet at both of them.

If the info about needing Android 12 is false, maybe the problem is Vodafone trying to disable wifi calling on Android phones not bought from them. Their list of compatible devices says
"All these phones support both WiFi and 4G Calling when bought from us. Please note that phones bought from other UK network providers and third parties are unlikely to support Vodafone WiFi and 4G Calling – with the exception of iPhones, which should work regardless."
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/network/calling-features/wi-fi-calling

I've heard that phones that don't work on Vodafone do work on EE (and 1pmobile which uses EE) so maybe the way to go is 1pmobile rather than change phone

flaneurs_lobster

I can only give you my own experience, I lack the technical knowledge of exactly how wi-fi (& VoLTE) is implemented to offer why this should be so. It's complicated.

I have 2 Samsung A52s 5g phones. The one purchased from O2 I have only been able to connect to O2's wi-fi calling service (and then on a PAYM contract, PAYG not work). It has O2 specific firmware installed.

The phone purchased from AO has connected to Vodafone's, 1p Mobile's, Asda's and Three's wi-fi calling services. It has generic UK vendor firmware installed.

I have a Moto G 5g bought from Amazon Store, it has managed to connect to all of the above. No idea about its firmware status.

KxMx

I've requested Vodafone send me the configuration message for WiFi calling, will see if that works. 

d123

Random_Bod said:

From hotukdeals forum, something that might explain problems people are having with Android phones:

"Just had a chat with Lebara support and this is what they said about WiFi calling...

2. User needs to have iOS 15.5 for iPhones and android 12 version for Android phones.

3. One plus 7 pro is not officially an approved device for WiFi calling as of now.
So without Android 12 WiFi calling won't work (just as I suspected).

Not true on both counts, I have tested and both VoLTE and WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) both work with my Lebara sim in a OnePlus 7 Pro 5G running Android 10 that was supplied by EE.

flaneurs_lobster

that looks pretty definitive @d123

Seems that Lebara CustServ are less than clued-up on this subject. 

If a business is going to trumpet about it's fantastic new proffer then perhaps they ought to update their helpdesk staff's scripts.

d123

flaneurs_lobster said:

that looks pretty definitive @d123

Seems that Lebara CustServ are less than clued-up on this subject. 

If a business is going to trumpet about it's fantastic new proffer then perhaps they ought to update their helpdesk staff's scripts.

Unfortunately customer services is often the last to properly know about new features and will make stuff up to appear knowledgeable, and that's true for a lot of the networks.

k_man

d123 said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

that looks pretty definitive @d123

Seems that Lebara CustServ are less than clued-up on this subject. 

If a business is going to trumpet about it's fantastic new proffer then perhaps they ought to update their helpdesk staff's scripts.

Unfortunately customer services is often the last to properly know about new features and will make stuff up to appear knowledgeable, and that's true for a lot of the networks.

And while stating it only works on Android 12 is incorrect, it may be that it is only supported on 12.

We all know what a minefield Android versions, models and firmware variances can be.