Why can't I make calls abroad with certain roaming partners?
The 3G mobile network has been continuously shut down by many roaming partners since 2021 in order to focus on the new 4G and 5G technologies.
When a roaming partner deactivates its 3G mobile network, incoming and outgoing voice calls over this network are only possible with a device that is at least 4G-capable and supports VoLTE. VoLTE must be switched on the device for this.
You can use the following link to check when which roaming partner has switched off or will switch off the 3G network.
We activated VoLTE roaming in the course of 2022 so that our customers can continue to make and receive voice calls abroad even after the 3G mobile network has been shut down.
You can no longer make or receive voice calls over a 4G/5G network using a 3G or a 4G device that does not support VoLTE. However, you can continue to use data, including to send SMS in the form of iMessages and to make app-based calls.
In this case, we recommend that you use an alternative 3G network in the respective country that you can select manually.
iOS devices/iPhones: Settings -> Mobile data -> Network selection -> Disable automatically and select alternative network
Android devices: Settings -> Connections -> Mobile networks -> Carriers -> Disable -> Deactivate «Select automatically» and select alternative network
Please don’t forget to reset the network selection to automatic as soon as you leave the respective country.
