What’s VoLTE, and why is it so important?
VoLTE (Voice over LTE) lets you make clearer phone calls over the 4G (also known as LTE) network, where it's available.
VoLTE is kind of like an add-on to 4G technology. Some phones have it (either built-in, or as a feature you can enable), and others don’t. Phones that don’t have VoLTE rely on the 3G network for calls.
When Telstra closes its 3G network on 30 June 2024, phones that don’t have VoLTE – as well as 4G phones that don’t have VoLTE switched on – will be affected. We’ll get in touch with customers who have these phones and let them know what they need to do.
Compatible devices
To use a Belong service, you’ll need a phone that supports VoLTE, and can connect to the Telstra network. This means 4G or 5G device that:
supports international band 28 (B28)/700MHz (Telstra’s main 4G frequency)
has VoLTE
supports VoLTE Emergency Calling
Below is a list of common devices that fit the bill, based on our testing. Just note we can’t guarantee compatibility – specs sometimes change from one device to the next, which can affect network requirements and VoLTE functionality.
Brand | Device name | Model number |
|---|---|---|
Apple | iPhone 11 | A2221 |
Apple | iPhone 12 | A2403 |
Apple | iPhone 13 | A2633 |
Apple | iPhone 14 | A2882 |
Apple | iPhone 15 | A390 |
Samsung | Galaxy A15 4G | SM-A145 |
Samsung | Galaxy A15 5G | SM-A156 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Flip 5 5G | SM-F731 |
Samsung | Galaxy A35 5G | SM-A356 |
Samsung | Galaxy A55 5G | SM-A556 |
Samsung | Galaxy S10 | SM-G973F |
Samsung | Galaxy S20 | SM-G980F |
Samsung | Galaxy S21 5G | SM-G991B |
Samsung | Galaxy S22 | SM-S901E |
Samsung | Galaxy S23/S23+ | SM-S916 |
Samsung | Galaxy S23 FE | SM-S711 |
Samsung | Galaxy S24/S24+ (SLSI) | SM-S926 |
Samsung | Galaxy S24 Ultra (Qcom) | SM-S928 |
Last updated 26 April 2024
This list refers to phones released in Australia. Phones from overseas (even if they’re bought from Australian stores) are sometimes configured for overseas markets, which makes them incompatible with our network.
Software updates can also affect whether a device supports VoLTE.
If your device isn’t listed here (or if your device was bought overseas), check the manual or manufacturer’s website to see if the device fits the compatibility requirements listed above.
How do I turn on VoLTE?
For Apple devices
Check your mobile phone's operating system is updated to the latest iOS version:
Go to ‘Settings’
Select ‘General’
Scroll to ‘Software Update’ and follow the prompts
Make sure you have the latest carrier build enabled:
Go to ‘Settings’
Select ‘General’
Select ‘About’
Scroll to ‘Service Provider’. If an update is available, you'll see an option to update your Service Provider settings.
If you have a 4G iPhone:
Go to ‘Settings’
Select ‘Mobile’
Select ‘Mobile Data Options’
Select ‘Enable 4G’
Select ‘Voice & Data’
If available, turn on VoLTE
If you have a 5G iPhone, VoLTE is automatically enabled on your device.
VoLTE will typically be turned on within 4 hours of completing the above steps.
For Android devices
Make sure your mobile phone’s operating system is up to date. Once it’s up-to-date, VoLTE will typically be turned on your device within 4 hours.
How to update your device
For Apple devices
Go to ‘Settings’
Select ‘General’
Scroll to ‘Software Update’ and follow the prompts
It’s also worth turning on automatic updates. You can do that on the ‘Software Update’ screen.
For Android devices
Open your device's ‘Settings’ app.
Tap ‘System’ and then ‘System update’.
Follow any prompts.
The exact steps can vary depending on who made your device. Check with your phone manufacturer if those steps don’t work for you.