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“We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

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Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#91
post #77
post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But 2G is staying until 2025 so old devices can still do normal phone calls and SMS.

Same in Germany. First operators have shut down 3G and the last will follow soon. But there is 2G for voice, SMS, and in theory data. Of course in today's bloatweb EGPRS is not fun to use.

2G is sufficient for things like remote sensors that send a few kB every hour, and probably has enough customers willing to pay for the service to continue a little longer.

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#92
post #51
post #4

VoLTE is so damn frustrating. LTE works via plug and play with any phone that supports the correct bands, but VoLTE doesn't. I have a Sony Xperia phone here in Canada and it's just not possible to use it on VoLTE without rooting to install specific provisioning files and whatnot. And that's not even counting how you can't just go from country to country without changing firmware. I've always used a local SIM whenever…

I understand why you feel that is ironic, but the VoLTE call on Bell uses only the Bell LTE data bearer and not any other resources that are VoLTE specific from the Bell network. Everything relating to VoLTE is coming from Verizon. In many roaming situations VoLTE roamers are downgraded to CS in order to comply with lawful intercept.

Oh, I know all that --- it's just funny to me.

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#93
post #71

Why does VoLTE require pre-approving phone models? Voice over VDSL (IMS, 3GPP's embrace & extend of SIP) seems to work fine independent of the device placing the call.

Because VoLTE stacks on phones are a heap of junk, and there are Core Network / Phone model interop bugs all of the time.

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#94
post #53
post #4

VoLTE is so damn frustrating. LTE works via plug and play with any phone that supports the correct bands, but VoLTE doesn't. I have a Sony Xperia phone here in Canada and it's just not possible to use it on VoLTE without rooting to install specific provisioning files and whatnot. And that's not even counting how you can't just go from country to country without changing firmware. I've always used a local SIM whenever…

VoLTE has been "broken" (from a standards perspective) since before it even launched in most markets - it is just too "finicky" and configuration-specific. LTE/4G demonstrated the success of standards in that it "just works" as long as you have the right bands in place. Since most (modern) phones have the bands needed for the main global markets, you can pop in a SIM card and get connected anywhere. VoLTE is far more…

This was all standardized correctly in IR.92, but a bunch of software was essentially baked prior to standardization, which means you need a bunch of config to say "do the standards defined thing".

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#95
post #71

Why does VoLTE require pre-approving phone models? Voice over VDSL (IMS, 3GPP's embrace & extend of SIP) seems to work fine independent of the device placing the call.

A few years some ATT 911 calls failed due to VoLTE issues. The FCC punished them. So now they refuse to enable VoLTE except on blessed phones.

https://www.fcc.gov/document/final-report-march-8-2017-att-m...

The US cellular market still involves bundling handset and service, sold in physical stores. Bringing your own phone is deviating from the happy path. Carriers are not motivated to fix interoperability bugs because it increases customer churn.

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would record the call, that should be proof enough once they “forget” to refund you.

Because no one can fake a phone call? Just get the offer in writing.

Yes of course technically anyone can fake anything including hard copies. In practice, once you have to go up against your carrier, having a recording stating an actual employee number with a voice that matches the CSR that your account file says you spoke to will be good enough. Don’t be so pedantic.

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#97
post #28

I have an old OnePlus phone that still works fine, but it won't work with AT&T's network changes. I called and AT&T said I could get an iPhone SE for free, but when the contracts came for me to confirm, there was no mention of getting a free phone, and instead I was committing to paying $400 over three years. The AT&T reps assured me I'd get be credited at some point in the future and that the phone would end up bein…

Wow this is crazy. In India, operators have no incentive in what handset their customer uses so they cannot interfer with user's choices.

Besides, they can't disable 3G/2G because of the sheer amount of people who still use these networks from villages.

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#99
post #77
post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But 2G is staying until 2025 so old devices can still do normal phone calls and SMS.

Same in Germany. First operators have shut down 3G and the last will follow soon. But there is 2G for voice, SMS, and in theory data. Of course in today's bloatweb EGPRS is not fun to use.

I found that quite impressive.

Where I live in the UK (flat, semi-rural area peppered with small towns, 30mins away from a large city), there’s lots of spots where 3G is the only thing that works… if you’re lucky.

Re: “We're Shutting Down Our 3G Network”

#100
I stopped using AT&T while ago, and have no love for them, but let's be fair: the OP bought an unlocked phone elsewhere (not from them) and now complaining that they are not replacing it with comparable model. As sombody who always buys unlocked phones I have no expectations from my carrier to support or replace them. I can always sell them though. I can also always leave the carrier as having unlocked phone allows me to stay on month-to-month plan. It is sad they have to shut down their 3G network, but I am sure they have business pressure: support costs, bandwidth allocation, etc. This is the price for rapid progress of all phone technologies from good old GSM to 5G in recent just a couple decades. Old stuff needs to make space for new.
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