As a married couple we have each had a basic/feature phone working on 2g/3g PAYG system since the 1990s, from a major provider. We have a landline and the internet and only use the mobile for emergency/essential calls when out of home.
Our experience so far. November 2024 we received a SMS that the phone was 2/3g and required a 4g SIM swap to continue to work. A visit to the local provider store, swap done, thought phone would be OK.
February, 2025, another SMS, "phone is 2/3g which is being switched off you will need to upgrade phone, a 4g make and model was suggested." A short period of internet research provided me with the information that after the switch off of 2/3g a phone capable of Voice Over LTE or (VoLTE) would be required to enable voice calls to be made, LTE is used for data. Another visit to the local store to attempt an upgrade of phones explaining that we don't need a 'smartphone' as the mobile is for occasional out of home use only but the replacement should have VoLTE capability. The store didn't have the phone suggested in the SMS but they had a similar one in stock, which the assistant assured us "should make phone calls after switch off of 2/3g because it is a 4g phone with a 4g SIM" Another assistant informed us that VoLTE was only required when using data and a call. We were sceptical but purchased the new phones. A few days later I checked the connectivity setting on the phone 4g/3g/2g and the box states LTE and blue tooth. From my earlier research I am sure these phones will not be able to make phone calls after switch off. More hours of searching on the internet and I find most 'basic/feature' phones are listed as 4g, some as 4g LTE and less than a handful as VoLTE. Checking the tech and specs where listed even those listed as VoLTE do not all have the capability. The provider has now updated their website which clealy states 'after swtich off your phone will have to be VoLTE capable for phone calls." I have checked the phone make and model we were sold and the one suggested in their SMS and neither are compatible after switch off. We have visited another of the providers stores, explained our situation and yet again the assistant assured us that the phones would make voice calls. Obviously their staff are either cluless or fobbing us off as we don't want a smartphone.
As we have recently changed the BT landline to digital voice and fibre broadband we visited an EE store to find a mains powered corded landline phone as replacement for an old now defunt phone. The store don't stock landline phones but while there we explained the problem with the mobile, the assistant looked at our phone and told us 'no sorry, that won't make calls'.
Does anyone here know of a basic no internet phone with VoLTE capability please or any advice you can give. Many thanks.
