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jf812

Casual Member
Hi All,

My relative has a 2G only phone, and is complaining about voice quality (they are on Lyca). I was wondering what codecs the networks and MVNOs with their own IMS use on 2G so I could perhaps get a SIM with better voice quality.

Many Thanks
 
Anything that uses Vodafone. Asda have a £4 per month plan with unlimited calls and texts. If Vodafone signal is no good then O2 would be a close second place. EE would be last place.

Your question about IMS is mostly irrelevant when it comes to 2G Networking only.

It may be advisable to get a 4G Phone. Not a smartphone or anything. Just a basic phone like the 2G Device they are using now but with VoLTE Support. They would get much better call quality, more signal in more places, and probably better battery life too.

PS If they are on Lyca and are paying by credit or debit card for top ups or service then it's probably wise to contact the bank and get the card blocked as per the below thread:

 
Anything that uses Vodafone. Asda have a £4 per month plan with unlimited calls and texts. If Vodafone signal is no good then O2 would be a close second place. EE would be last place.

Your question about IMS is mostly irrelevant when it comes to 2G Networking only.

It may be advisable to get a 4G Phone. Not a smartphone or anything. Just a basic phone like the 2G Device they are using now but with VoLTE Support. They would get much better call quality, more signal in more places, and probably better battery life too.

PS If they are on Lyca and are paying by credit or debit card for top ups or service then it's probably wise to contact the bank and get the card blocked as per the below thread:

Many thanks, and for the heads up
 
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Hi All,

My relative has a 2G only phone, and is complaining about voice quality (they are on Lyca). I was wondering what codecs the networks and MVNOs with their own IMS use on 2G so I could perhaps get a SIM with better voice quality.

Many Thanks
If you're using 2G, you aren't using an IMS at all - that's for VoLTE and VoWiFi.

With that being said, choose something on Vodafone as they have HD Voice over 2G enabled - no other network in the UK has this.
So we're talking Vodafone, VOXI, Lebara, ASDA, Talkmobile. I would probably suggest Lebara given they offer very cheap plans for people not consuming much data (obviously with it being 2G you'd be fine even with a 1GB plan).


That is the cheapest and most cost effective plan they offer at the moment, I would suggest porting out of Lyca ASAP, or even getting a new telephone number if it was Lyca who originally assigned it (given to Lyca's dodgy past and activities).
 
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I think the consensus is that Vodafone has the best sound quality on 2G.

With this said, you can get cheap 4G "dumb" phones. A new Nokia 110 costs less than £30 on Amazon, for example. I'd also move her out of Lyca due to the issues mentioned above.
 
Last edited:
I think Argos sell that same Nokia for a lot less provided it's bundled with a Vodafone SIM and topup - which may be useful anyway. The Nokia 105 (same phone minus the camera) is a mere £11.50 (£21.50 if they insist on a topup)

Not sure how well they enforce it. when I bought one they gave me the SIM but didn't mandate a topup.

It's a pretty good phone for the money, though it feels a bit clunky if you're used to the proper Nokia of old.
 
Not sure how well they enforce it. when I bought one they gave me the SIM but didn't mandate a topup.
Generally speaking if you order it at an Argos store (even for FastTrack collection) they will try to force a top up. If you do local collect at a Sainsburys store (A store that doesn't have an Argos inside) or have home delivery then you'll get away with not buying credit.
 
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