5G & VoLTE issues in Australia (Telstra, Optus & Vodafone)

[Happy-Haze]

Why is the "Smart Switch Data" toggle for VoLTE not operating on my ROG Phone 3?

I can clearly see that the option is available on my ROG Phone 3 but the toggle is greyed out & does NOT work.

I've called my mobile phone provider/carrier (Amaysim who use Optus towers) but they say it's a device issue NOT a provider/carrier issue.

I have got all the necessary 4G/5G/5G Standalone internet settings enabled via my device.

Funnily enough all of the 4G/5G/5G Standalone internet setting options on my phone mysteriously disappeared today.

So I rang Amaysim technical support & they some how magically made them reappear on my phone after a shutdown & restart 🤨🤔

Because the 3G network is shutting down in Australia my provider has stated that my ROG Phone 3 will stop working....even though the ROG Phone 3 clearly has 4G/5G/5G Standalone & VoLTE capabilities.

As quoted in the ROG Phone 3 user manual:

"Both Nano SIM card slots support GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+, FDD-LTE, TD-LTE & 5G NR Sub-6 network bands.

Both Nano SIM cards can connect to 4G VoLTE calling service, but only one can connect to 5G NR Sub-6 data service at a time.

Actual network and frequency band usage depends on network deployment in your area. Contact your telecom carrier if 5G NR Sub-6 support and VoLTE 4G calling service are available in your area."

From what I understand to the best of my ability it seems that in Australia Telstra, Optus & Vodafone already use the 5G NR Sub-6 network & 4G VoLTE calling services....so why isn't my ROG Phone 3 compatible & why do I have to buy a new "compatible" phone?

I purchased my ROG Phone 3 from JB HI-FI who are an authorised Asus retailer in Australia.

Both the JB HI-FI website & salesperson clearly stated that the ROG Phone 3 was compatible with 4G/5G/5G Standalone mobile platform networks & VoLTE communications.

The JB HI-FI salesperson assured me that the ROG Phone 3 would NOT become redundant & unusable after the 3G network shutdown in Australia as the ROG Phone 3 clearly supports 4G/5G/5G Standalone mobile platform networks & VoLTE communications.

I specifically purchased my ROG Phone 3 because of these ad verbatim quoted facts as stated & advertised on the Asus website "ROG Phone 3 is the most powerful gaming phone to use the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 865 Plus 5G Mobile Platform with advanced 5G mobile communications capabilities."

If in fact the ROG Phone 3 CANNOT operate on the "5G mobile platform with advanced 5G mobile communications capabilities" then that is 100% false advertising.

I'm on a disability pension with very limited money....I simply don't have "spare" money to waste on another mobile phone as my money barely covers my accommodation, food, bills, medical needs & transportation.

I love my ROG Phone 3 & there is absolutely nothing wrong with my phone it's in perfect condition no scratches or cracks or chips.

I want to know who is going to take responsibility for this massive injustice that affects a LOT of people?

Either Asus have falsely advertised & stated that the ROG Phone 3 is capable & compatible with 4G/5G/5G Standalone mobile platform networks & VoLTE communications.

Or conversely....Telstra, Optus & Vodafone are deliberately making people's mobile devices redundant because they are blocking specific mobile devices from accessing their 4G/5G/5G Standalone mobile platform networks & VoLTE communications (even though the mobile devices actually have these capabilities) &/or they are refusing to work in conjunction with mobile device manufacturers.

Which in turn is forcing consumers to purchase new "compatible" mobile devices.

The fact that Amaysim could make the 4G/5G/5G Standalone internet settings on my ROG Phone 3 mysteriously disappear & then magically reappear today makes me believe that it is a conspiracy by the mobile phone providers/carriers in Australia 🤨🤔

I think all affected consumers need to band together with a class-action complaint to the Australian Telecommunications Ombudsman urgently.

I am running Android 12 but I have seen discussions on being able to reverse back to Android 11 which supposedly fixes the VoLTE issues.

How & where do you access the ability to reverse back to Android 11?

I have not modified my ROG Phone 3 in any other way except for installing the Android 12 update.

Can someone please help me out?

Thank you & kind regards 🙏

[FP_at_Malua]

Hi Happy Haze. I to have a Rog 3. I'm with Optus. I have Android 10 and don't even have the VoLTE option in my network settings. ASUS support advised the Rog 3 is end of life and no further firmware updates. Lol.... They say they are apologetic of the problem (ha). It is pretty stupid that it supports 5g (where available) but it will be a brick once 3g is turned off. I believe other newer Rog phones have the same problem. 

I don't know if upgrading to Android 11 will help??  I'm not technical but guess it is a firmware issue rather than android version issue??? 

I know none of the above helps you either. Hopefully some clever person can read these posts and advise. 

[FP_at_Malua]

Hi again. Further to my previous post have you tried the code to force VoLTE on as per screenshot below? Just go to your dialer and put in the *#*# etc code. Other posts I have read that this can force on VoLTE. Fingers crossed for you. I don't think it will work for me as it doesn't even appear as a greyed out option on my phone. 

 

[FP_at_Malua]

Hi again Happy Haze. 

I received further information from ASUS. This is there response which may assist :

"

Your ROG Phone will work with any carrier. While it’s true that the VoLTE settings need to be enabled on your phone, it’s equally important that your mobile network provider has activated VoLTE on your account. This is often referred to as "provisioning".

Think of it like this: Having VoLTE enabled on your phone is like having a car with a key, but having VoLTE provisioned on your account is like having the car unlocked. Both are necessary for the car to start.

In many cases, customers find that while the VoLTE settings are on, their mobile provider hasn't activated VoLTE on their account. We recommend contacting your carrier and specifically requesting them to check if VoLTE is provisioned on your account. If it's not, they should be able to activate it for you.

If you still encounter issues enabling the function, the device may need to be assessed for further checking. However, according to the serial number information, this phone originates from overseas (China) which is not serviceable in Australia as the model and parts differ by country of origin. I recommend contacting your place of purchase in this case for further assistance. "

I guess mine is a Chinese version as the VoLTE doesn't even appear in my settings. Good luck with yours.