US Usage w/ New $34 Plan

[No_Nickname]

On my last couple of trips to the US, I've used a roaming add-on with mixed results.  I've had trouble getting a decent signal pretty regularly. My usage has always been in Florida which I understand has terrible 2G coverage.

I've now purchased the new $34 Canada/US 50GB plan.  It was a no-brainer with extra data and US coverage for the same price.

The plan says that I get 50GB of data at 5G speed.  My device is only 4G.

Here's my question... When in Florida, do I set my "Preferred Network Type" to "Prefer LTE", "Prefer 3G", or "2G Only". I'm 99% sure that "Prefer 3G" is absolutely wrong.

I'm a little fuzzy if this setting only effects voice or if its for data too.

Obviously, I'd like to get the best performance from both voice and data.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@No_Nickname  That does sound promising!  I would keep an eye on that HD, with the other carrier I was with before PM I had that on my Android for a long time then all of a sudden one day it disappeared.  I did some to-ing and fro-ing between carrier support and manufacturer and it never was re-enabled even though VoLTE was turned on in the settings and the phone was  capable.

[No_Nickname]

I just noticed that both voice and data network types are listed as 4G under "SIM Status".

Guess I'm good to go.

[No_Nickname]

Thanks for the info Phil.

I just made a call over what I believe must have been VoLTE. I have a VoLTE indicator right beside my signal bars in the status bar area when WiFi is turned off.  After the call, which sounded good, but not really any different, there is an "HD" indication next to the call in my call log.

I'd say it's working.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@No_Nickname   Having VoLTE enabled in the settings doesn't necessarily mean VoLTE will work, I have a phone that was capable on another carrier but it did not get VoLTE so I would check first whether PM has actually enabled VoLTE because your phone is not on their VoLTE list.  There are two things you can do, one is turn off wifi and turn on cellular data then make a phone call.  If the phone stays on LTE then you have VoLTE, if it drops to 3G it doesn't.  There is also a way to check the IMS in the settings but I'm not familiar with your phone, you should be able to check the sim status in About phone and see if it is IMS registered.

[HALIMACS]

👍 

glad to hear yours will work!

[No_Nickname]

I've just found out that my Redmi Note 10 Pro IS VoLTE compatible. A quick Googling showed me that you need to enter *#*#86583#*#* in the dialer to have VoLTE appear in the settings menu.  Also interesting, you can allow VoWiFi  with *#*#869434#*#*.

So now that that VoLTE is enabled, I should just leave it in "Prefer LTE" always?

[HALIMACS]

Good question @No_Nickname 

I’m guessing that might be the case, which is ridiculously unacceptable.

However, most people do rely on data primarily and texting secondarily with calling, a distant third.

there’s also the option to use web-based Voip apps to call if voice calls are important.

[No_Nickname]

Does that mean that my new "Canada/USA Plan" is more or less useless for voice without a VoLTE phone?

Does this affect voice only?  If so, what data performance should I expect with this new plan?

[Phil_Adelphus · Accepted solution]

@No_Nickname   Is your phone VoLTE enabled?  There is no 3G network in the USA any more, and in a month's time there will be no more 2G, so for voice you really need a VoLTE phone going forward.  If your phone is VoLTE capable/enabled then set it to LTE.  Until April 2 you can fall back on 2G if necessary but after that it's gone.

[softech]

@No_Nickname

what phone is yours??

set the preferred network to 4G/LTE and try on both T-Mobile and AT&T.  With that settings, voice would be on VoLTE.  Only if that does not work, try setting network to 2G and connect T-Mobile