Why is VoLTE important?

What is VoLTE
Criteria #1: a VoLTE-compatible SIM card
Criteria #2: a phone that is VoLTE-compatible at Fizz
Criteria #3: the activation of the VoLTE function in your phone
VoLTE and call forwarding
VoLTE in the United States

The withdrawal of the 3G network will start July 31, 2025, for Fizz and several of its partners. All calls made with your Fizz mobile plan will then go through the LTE network thanks to VoLTE technology. But to do so, you need to:

 

  1. Use a VoLTE-compatible SIM card or an eSIM (if your phone allows it).
  2. Use a phone that is VoLTE-compatible at Fizz.
  3. Activate the VoLTE function on your phone.

 

IMPORTANT: If any of these criteria is not met, none of your calls (including 911 calls) will go through when the 3G network is gone.   

 

To learn more about the withdrawal of the 3G network in Canada, visit the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) website, and the Canadian Telecommunications Association website.  

  1. What is VoLTE

    VoLTE stands for Voice over LTE, which basically means a phone call will use the LTE network. The opportunity to use the LTE network for your calls means: 

    • Improved sound quality for your calls. 
    • Faster routing of your calls, meaning the delay for the phone to ring at the other end will be shorter.
    • Reduced interruptions when you go from the Fizz network to a partner network.

  1. Criteria #1: a VoLTE-compatible SIM card

    Your SIM connects your phone to the Fizz LTE network. If it’s not VoLTE (voice over LTE) compatible, no calls (including 911 calls) will be possible with the plan associated with this SIM card when the 3G network is gone.

     

    A VoLTE-compatible SIM card shows a red lightning bolt icon:

    SIM VoLTE

     

    If you need to change your SIM card, sign in to your Fizz account > My benefizz > My rewards > My perks. There, you’ll see a perk to get yourself a new VoLTE-compatible SIM card for free.

     

    Changing your SIM card for one that is VoLTE-compatible will not impact your plan or phone number.

    How to make a SIM change  

     

  1. Criteria #2: a phone that is VoLTE-compatible at Fizz

    How to check if your phone is VoLTE-compatible at Fizz:

     

    1. Important: check your SIM card first to prevent the test for your phone from failing because of an incompatible SIM card. 
    2. Then, while at home, make a call by dialling #TEST (#8378) from your phone associated with your Fizz mobile plan and listen to the voicemail.
      1. If that message confirms your call went through the LTE network, you have nothing to do.
      2. If, however, you hear another message, your phone is not VoLTE-compatible and must be replaced. 

    Another way to confirm if your phone is VoLTE-compatible at Fizz is to check whether the “LTE” icon remains on the screen during a call.

     

    A non-exhaustive list of VoLTE-compatible phones, when purchased from Fizz, is available for general information purposes. The best way, however, to confirm whether your phone is VoLTE-compatible at Fizz is to make a call by dialling #TEST (#8378) on your mobile phone while at home.

    See the list

     

    If your phone is not VoLTE-compatible with Fizz:

    1. Even if your calls are still going through for now, you must replace your phone with a VoLTE-compatible model in anticipation of the 3G withdrawal that will start July 31, 2025. We strongly recommend that you take the necessary steps now to avoid any inconveniences once the 3G network has been decommissioned, such as the inability to make calls and contact 911.
    2. Shop on our website. All phones available at Fizz.ca are VoLTE-compatible and will allow you to continue making calls once the 3G network is withdrawn:
      1. Preloved phones: get a phone that’s almost new, without having to pay the full price.
      2. Phones identified with a purple stamp: get a discount for your mobile plan for 24 months.

    OR

    Shop on other websites. You can replace your phone with one bought elsewhere than at Fizz. Just make sure, however, to confirm that it’s VoLTE-compatible at Fizz by calling #TEST (#8378).

     

    IMPORTANT: Even if your mobile plan does not have any minutes, know that any phone that is not VoLTE-compatible with Fizz will be impacted by the 3G withdrawal, since without VoLTE functionality, no calls to 911 will be possible once the 3G network has been removed. Other LTE devices that only work with mobile data and don’t offer calling functionality, such as tablets or mobile Wi-Fi devices, will still be able to operate on the Fizz network.

  1. Criteria #3: the activation of the VoLTE function in your phone

    Important: Start with the manufacturer software update of your phone. In general, manufacturers manage their software deployment to ensure their models are VoLTE-enabled.  

     

    Android

    Settings > Software update (or System) > System update

     

    Apple

    Settings > General > Software update

     

    Then, activate the VoLTE function:

     

    Android

    Calls > (Three little dots) > Call settings

     

    Apple

    General > Cellular > Cellular data options > Voice & data > VoLTE

     

    Good to know: Some manufacturers have removed the option to choose the call operating mode, defaulting instead to VoLTE when available. In other words, you won’t see the VoLTE option in your settings. 

     

    Restart your phone if required.

     

  1. VoLTE and call forwarding

    Call forwarding will work when you use a VoLTE-compatible phone, activated with an eSIM or a VoLTE-compatible SIM card. If your phone is not VoLTE-compatible at Fizz, manually setting up call forwarding will not work. Call forwarding for the voicemail option remains functional.

  1. VoLTE in the United States

    If you are travelling to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the ability to make calls will depend on the network your phone connects to at your location. If only the LTE network is available, the ability to make calls will depend on your Fizz SIM and your phone.

     

    Understand my options in these locations

     

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