Google Pixel Owners Suffer UK Mobile Calling Problems on Spusu
Some customers of SIM-Only mobile operator spusu, specifically those that own various particular models of Google’s popular Pixel Smartphones, have been complaining that they often struggle to make or receive calls on the operator’s network when connected via 4G (VoLTE). But efforts are underway to resolve the problem.
Before we get started it’s important to point out that Google’s Pixel phones have developed somewhat of a reputation for calling related problems via Voice-over-LTE and also Wi-Fi Calling, although some of those were resolved in a firmware update issued in June 2024 (here). But from time to time, we still receive complaints about issues with specific operators, which usually requires the operator to work closely with Google in order to develop a fix.
Over the past month or so we’ve received a number of similar complaints via email, as well as on our discussion forum, where owners of Pixel phones (various models) have complained about 4G calls being sent direct to voicemail or failing to work at all (both sending and receiving) on Spusu.
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As one customer, Gabrielle, told ISPreview last week: “I love the monthly deal and the customer service, but there are times when I can’t make a call nor receive one! (I keep LTE selected). Spusu say they have sat down with google engineers and are trying to iron out the issues.”
A spokesperson for spusu told ISPreview:
“spusu is aware of the issues owners of Google Pixel phones are having with the network. Firstly, we’d like to apologise for the inconvenience caused. We are working tirelessly with Google to ensure full compatibility with Pixel devices and are hopeful for a resolution in early 2025. In the meantime, we would advise customers to visit our website for the full list of compatible devices and please get in touch if they have questions.”
In theory, when VoLTE isn’t working, the handset should drop back to 2G, but for various reasons that doesn’t always happen and in some cases those calls can also end up being sent to voicemail instead, which is an issue that other customers have told us about too. But it’s good to hear that spusu are working on a fix, even if it remains unclear precisely when that will be introduced.
At the same time, it’s worth noting that none of Google’s phones are currently listed as being compatible with either spusu’s Wi-Fi Calling or VoLTE features via their website (here and here). But in this day and age consumers would probably just assume, understandably so, that all operators should have wide support for these features, particularly with the 3G switch-off occurring and 2G to follow.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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My Pixel 4a 5G was HORRENDOUS for this on Spusu.
Not only did the call quality sound abhorrent when calls DID work, 6 out of 10 went direct to voicemail instead of CSFB down to 2G.
I ported to SPUSU on a Friday by Monday I was going elsewhere, everything was just “odd”
It’s alarming how unreliable VoLTE seems to be, especially given some network (e.g. Three) no longer support 2G. Hopefully we can go back to a time where phone calls “just worked” without having to check if a particular device is supported by a particular network.
A big part of that is that VoLTE isn’t a defined standard. It was a bit of an afterthought that is implemented slightly different by various manufacturers and networks.
If you think its an issue here, good luck in Australia where they’ve just turned off 2G & 3G for everyone, blocked a load of domestic and internationally purchased phones from connecting to even data because they can’t be sure they can call 000 (their version of 999) via VoLTE, even though many of them actually support VoLTE.
If you’re interested in where we could be in a few years, Hugh Jeffreys has a good summary of the issues on his Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJavqEzEIw). Hopefully the UK switch off is a bit more considered.
Three have never had a 2G network they started off with 3G (hence their name)
Sat down with Goggle engineers not Google Mark ? Lol
To be fair, that was a direct quote 🙂
Hard to believe they are taking it seriously at all as it’s been ongoing since they launched.
Assuming it works fine in EE Spusu is running on, the problem is more with Spusu not implementing something properly/doing something as cheap as possible.
Also as Mark has stated in the final paragraph of the article Spusu do not list those features being compatible on their website
I tried SPUSU for 4 months, with a Samsung and had no problems except no texts on Wi-Fi calling.
However, I foolishly switched my wife’s SIM shortly after, she uses an iPhone SE 2020. From day one she had problems, initially the port not working, for which they had to issue a second eSIM. But then calls would just drop, Wifi-calling would get switched off, during a call. Also, when there was reception a call would not initiate. These sound similar to the problems with the Pixel discussed in this article.
Support was mostly helpful, but in the end couldn’t fix my wife’s issues and suggested I contact Apple, as only they could solve the problems????.
We both switched to another full EE MVNO, about two months and viola! Everything works. Being able to send texts in our old house, without leaving the phone in the window, seems so 21st century.
But best of all, I hear no complaints from my wife, for my tech saving foolishness.
After asking I had the following response from Spusu customer service “Hello. We do not support VoLTE, VoWifi and 5G on pixel devices on our network”.
Customer services told me the same *bull* (we have contacted Google) when I had probs with 5G & WiFi calling last year LoL …
Spusu doesn’t have a carrier profile on Pixel? The website does say that they don’t support Pixel devices so I can’t really blame this on Spusu.
I imagine you might be able to get 4G calling working (and potentially 5G) by messing with the Pixel IMS app.
just started to realise that I have a problem and I spoke to Spusu today. The support was quick and the guy was really helpful but he did admit that there’s an issue with Pixel 8 on their network.
Issues I’m seeing is that I’m not able to make or receive calls ( intermittently) and incoming text messages queue up and arrive all at once. its sad, as Spusu’s internet is fast but as I’m on a no – notice Sim only contract it unfortunately means it’s “bye bye Spusu” from me.
just started to realise that I have a problem and I spoke to Spusu today. The support was quick and the guy was really helpful but he did admit that there’s an issue with Pixel 8 on their network.
Issues I’m seeing is that I’m not able to make or receive calls ( intermittently) and incoming text messages queue up and arrive all at once. Its sad, as their internet is fast but as I’m on a no – notice Sim only contract it unfortunately means it’s goodbye Spusu from me.