It was the same with the EE S5 and WiFi calling wasn't it, but they still launched on the S6/Edge first. I guess launching on the S5 first is easiest/safest but it just looks a bit odd.

Does Cell id 0 stand for 1800Mhz?

EDIT: yes it is

Sorry to be negative but it is beginning to look like Three might be the worst network for bringing unlocked devices to it and using VoLTE. With EE there's a reasonable chance you could use the 1800MHz layer, and with Vodafone you could use 800MHz without all the whitelisting. But with Three we may be lucky to use VoLTE over the thin 1800MHz layer, let alone 800MHz.

That is only my uneducated understanding, but I'm not sure what else the situation could be.

Just tried that and it says the following and then boosts the coverage map with the better 4G coverage that we were seeing:

"You should be able to use the internet in most instances on our 4G network.

Indoor signal strength may vary.".

Surely what I'm reading can't be true? I can understand Three restricting access for a month or so maybe to trial it out but to restrict access completely to phones purchased from Three seems crazy! They will lose customers hand over fist if this is the case. I have chosen to stay with Three even though O2 4G is in my area, however if I know I will never get 4G on Three then were is the incentive to stay? I'm hoping these rumours are are just that, rumours!!!

Just used a random postcode in Carlisle, CA4 8BU , it's showing (with Galaxy S5)

HEADLINE NOT USED
Good. Great news! Your phone is compatible with our VoLTE network, so in most instances you can make calls, send texts and use the internet over our 4G network. And just so you know, indoor signal strength may vary.

So the S5 is the device to get, if you want to try out the new network.

To eBay I go...

Isn't that going to be same for all networks if you have an Android phone? EE only permit wifi-calling on Android devices bought directly through them, so I can see VoLTE being exactly the same with EE and possible all networks.

Hey, you didn't shoot me down. I must have been on the right lines I think we'll say.
I remember you saying before (see I listen) that a network could selectively allow or block devices based on IMEI.
So, is that, do you think, how EE block WiFi calling on non EE phones, using the software version identifier in the IMEI?

They don't? You can flash the supported android phones with EE firmware to allow WiFi calling, just that with Samsung's it can occasionally be a faf due to different partition tables, but Kies can help with that.

Yeah, what I meant earlier of course was non EE software, not that the phone had to be specifically purchased through EE.

I'm going to hazard a guess that all networks will do this for a simple reason, security!
When WiFi calling launched on EE there was a big hooha about how it was the first time ever that a cellular network had allowed an insecure connection to their core network.
I would imagine that this is why you have to have their own software in there, so they can at least be fairly sure it isn't doing anything bad.
I don't think it works on jailbroken iphones either does it? Probably for the same reason.

Well you were exactly on the right lines weren't you? I had no idea what an IMEI SV was before today, you learn something new everyday

But I don't think EE block WiFi calling though, the phone is either supported or not supported isn't it? With android it is a case of the settings not being present in the firmware not that EE are blocking access, at least as far as I know.

So long for the joys of bringing your own phone to the party...

Hopefully this situation will change over time, but I'm guessing it might be quite a while (i.e. years) until unlocked, unbranded handsets can get access to VoLTE on Three or indeed on other networks (leaving aside hackery type solutions such as flashing the firmware.)

We were replying to each other

Yes I imagine security plays a big part, T-Mobile US made the same noises when they talk about WiFi calling. But people are still able to root phones and keep Wifi calling, and I think you can jailbreak and keep WiFi calling? I'm not 100% sure on that one, I have a friend with a jailbroken iPhone 6 but unsure whether he's used WiFi calling since he jailbroke it.

That's my picture (post 659). I'll claim the copyright later....

No, sorry. If you call 333 and push the buttons for network issues you get can get through to people who have the handset roll out details. The bloke I got was quite chatty, even talking about the iPhone 6S (there looking at it!).

So... Unless I get a three branded phone I'm stuffed for 800mhz 4g then?
Can't believe I've been waiting since may for this rubbish. I can flash my phone with three firmware but it sounds like that's no good either..
Working solid until Monday so can't do this to my S5 until then.
Might just bite the bullet and switch fully to Vodafone now because crappie as there reputation is on here, I've seen a rapid improvement in them this year with 3g going from 0bar to 3 bar and now full signal indoor here with 4g too and mast upgrades all over my area whilst nothing on three and a rapid deterioration in the 3g quality..

I don't get this. On my postcode it says you can make calls use data and send a text on the 4g network yet nothing about this supervoice what people are talking about, or is this just a word made up on this forum. Tried making a call on 4g near my house where otnsaid incould call on 4g but switched to 3g.

Three is a huge mess and should have bid for more 800Mhz. I bet they regret it now and their 4g rollout is pretty crap even in greater London after all this tike.

Soon as they kick me off the one plan £15 I'm off to BT also I have noticed on my routes on the bus where there is no signal on Three BT has 2G coverage. These are areas where BT (EE) and Three had excellent 3g coverage. Up the power on 1800Mhz already and get your act together.

Since 2009 Three made so much progress ot was beyond impressive now even me a die hard fan of Three customer for over 10 years are sick of them and their false promises of new masts and all kinds of crap. I hope they read these forums because this is where the main feedback cokes from. As others have said most people don't even know the difference if it days 2g, 3g, 4g or if it ever said 0g

Also what about phones that were never sold by three like the Nokia Lumia 830 and 930 which me and my brother use, we are screwed I guess. Also as i said before on windows 10 mobile there is an option to update network carrier settings now.

This confuses me. I took out my Z3 on a 2 year contract but it has since been replaced due to an insurance claim. I take it that means my phone is no longer deemed as from 3 so I won't get to use 800mhz?

Three didn't bid for there 800MHz they were told reserve price and bid exactly that. If you don't believe look at EE they paid double the amount for same size block.

That stupid advert campaign they doing has got be one of the worst advertising marketing plans I have ever seen.


It depends is it still on Three's firmware? If it is it will show the 3 logo on boot up

I wonder what person suggested to Three that a good marketing campaign is to put yourself down.

Just checked my postcode with my iPhone 6 and it shows this.

4G coverage in LN60WD on Apple iPhone 6
Excellent.
You can make calls, send texts and use the internet in most instances on our 4G Super-Voice network. You should also get super-fast call set-up times and crystal clear HD-calling. Just so you know, indoor signal strength may vary.

Not sure how to check if I am connected to 800mhz

I had an online chat with Three yesterday to cancel my 1mth SIM,they tried blagging me by saying "We will have 98% 4G coverage by the end of 2015,as 4G Super-Voice is coming"
Reading this thread i really am not too sure.
I have crap reception at home & work

After looking at some different postcodes with some different device settings it looks like there are at least four tiers of 4G service now. The best, which seems to only apply to areas with indoor&outdoor coverage, in an area that has been VoLTE enabled, and for a device that is VoLTE enabled for Three (which as I understand it is the Galaxy S5 only at this stage), is:

"Excellent

You can make calls, send texts, and use the Internet in most instances on our 4G Super-Voice network. You should also get super-fast call set-up times and crystal clear HD-calling. Just so you know, indoor signal strength may vary."

The next tier seems to be same as above but for outdoor coverage, which gives:

"HEADLINE NOT USED

Good. Great news! Your phone is compatible with out VoLTE network, so in most instances you can make calls, send texts and use the Internet over our 4G network. And just so you know, indoor signal strength may vary."

The next tier after that is 4G indoor&outdoor but with a phone that isn't VoLTE, or in a non-LTE area:

"Very good service

You can make calls, send texts and use the Internet over our 4G network. Just so you know, indoor signal strength may vary. And good news about your phone it's 4G compatible."

I think the wording is misleading there though - presumably they mean you can make calls (on 3G), send texts and use Internet on 4G, as you can't make calls on 4G unless you have a VoLTE enabled phone and are in a VOLTE area. Then you have same as that but outdoor coverage only:

"Good service

You should be able to use the Internet in most instances on our 4G network. Indoor signal strength may vary. iPhone 6 is compatible with our 4G network."

I expect the wording subtly varies depending on which specific phone you are searching for, and of course if you have a non 4G phone (or one that doesn't do LTE band 3/20) you'll get something different again.

It's worth considering that this very much seems to be a soft launch at this stage - no official announcement has been made so expectations should accordingly be rather low! Just consider yourself lucky if you do get VoLTE ahead of any official announcement or launch!