Sponsored Links

Smarty sim does NOT work in some new phones[SOLVED]

Smarty is an MVNO using the Three network, and owned by Three, but to the phone it's a distinct network.

The problem is it's a network without VoLTE settings
Smarty CS asked me to input threes apn settings. Surely that would bypass any mvno setup? Unless it doesn't recognise the actual name "smarty".
 
I don't think the APN has anything to do with it, your phone isn't configured for VoLTE so network isn't letting it connect to 4G

Try dialing *#*#4636#*#* and seeing what it says there, particularly under IMS status

I expect without following a guide like https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-and-vowifi-on-oos-12-1-without-root.4557611/ you'll be waiting for a software update to fix
Thanks, it's helpful.

The dialing code doesn't work though.

As for the guide. I am still confused. If all other networks are working fine in this phone (even 'three' that use the same tower as smarty and are the same company)

Why would I need to enable volte just for smarty? Sorry if I'm being dumb.
 
You need to forget this Smarty is Three thing for this I think. As far as the phone is concerned they are different networks, the phone doesn't care who owns it
 
Its not just the interaction between the Phone, SIM and the Network. Increasingly the services (and network policies) are determined by your account.

Policies can also vary even if the MVNO is part of the MNO otherwise what is the point of having the MVNO to support targeted use/marketing. There are multiple examples of devices including the Google Pixel that present different issues on particular networks or mast configurations.

Smarty specifies its own list of supported devices. It is naturally hesitant to specify what the underlying technical requirement actually is as it could introduce support liabilities.

If a phone manufacturer deviates in some way the network is established (including things like VoLTE/WIFI calling and Dual SIM settings) so the UE provides a unrecognisable or limited capability response then the network may not establish a serviceable connection.

In my view it is the responsibility of the device manufacturer (and their agents) to ensure network compatibility in the region/country. I don't think Smarty are specifically excluding devices or the common modem chips in use.
 
Sponsored Links
Also if you click the thread embedded in my original post, Sony Xperia phones also don't work with Smarty. I'm going to assume huawei don't either.

Huawei Mate10 and the P30Pro both work on Smarty, these are the phones in use every day.

The Mate10 does not have wifi calling but it works fine on Smarty.
 
I want to thank everyone's input on this topic, I've received really good responses and advice.

I can happily say that ive successfully enabled WiFi calling And most importantly... Volte!! by just installing a couple apps. No need for a pc or rooting. Now I have WiFi calling option in the sim card section of settings. Not sure if it'll disappear on the next sw update but, even if it does, it literally takes 5 mins to enable WiFi calling again.

Very happy
 
Last edited:
Sponsored Links
I want to thank everyone's input on this topic, I've received really good responses and advice.

I can happily say that ive successfully enabled WiFi calling by just installing a couple apps. No need for a pc or rooting. Now I have WiFi calling option in the sim card section of settings. Not sure if it'll disappear on the next sw update but, even if it does, it literally takes 5 mins to enable WiFi calling again.

Very happy

Quick question... WiFi calling is different to how other sim cards connect to the tower in this phone, right? Because during a call I noticed that it sometimes gets a bit distorted, like it would on a WhatsApp call. Also, if they turn off 3G next year, would that affect me?

WiFi calling AKA VoWiFi shouldn't have any bearing on connection to 3G, 4G or 5G, the feature that matters is 4G Calling AKA VoLTE.

WifiCalling is a red herring to any problem relating to why you can't use 4G or 5G.
 
WiFi calling AKA VoWiFi shouldn't have any bearing on connection to 3G, 4G or 5G, the feature that matters is 4G Calling AKA VoLTE.

WifiCalling is a red herring to any problem relating to why you can't use 4G or 5G.
People are saying you need to enable "WiFi calling" aka "volte" but... These are completely different things..aren't they?
 
I have a Honor Magic 5 Pro and using SMARTY 5G fine in it today
This report is pretty conclusive on this topic.
Yup, like I say.. Absolutely everything has been checked, reset, edited. The lot. Trust me on that one.

Smarty even suggested to use threes apn which also didn't work.

I am convinced smarty just doesn't work on the latest phones.
As this thread has gone on a bit and in light of the report of known-good, I think it's worth confirming whether the bad device makes a cellular connection at all with the Smarty SIM?

Adding the list of supported devices, if this helps (other devices may work but just not be supported by the network service provider at the current time). https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/1463333-device-support

1693044250551.png
 
Last edited:
These devices which aren't supported by Three as VoLTE devices cannot connect to 4G/5G only masts which is quite a lot of Three's masts now (notably all the PoWs). This is to prevent usable data signal but no phone calls in case of emergency (does seem a bit backward as if you had 4G you would still be able to contact other people to maintain a level of safety; but I suppose this could reflect badly on the network).
This.

Happens often with devices with smarty that do not support volte - usually in areas with B20 support only.

My partner had the same issue when we moved here on smarty, had signal but couldn't do anything. No data, no calls all because of no volte support on smarty side.

Ended up moving to three and been fine since.

I thought though they'd implemented volte since however?

Just to add, had a similar issue with RWG and an EE SIM, RWG didn't have volte support on B20. Wouldn't even connect to B20 and when it did, nothing and would quickly get booted off.
 
Sponsored Links
I wonder if the OP has the china version


The bands are rather reduced compared to the global version. No band 20
My phone is from a UK supplier fonehouse.com

So I hope they are not selling Chinese models.

In the secret menu it says

Vendor DEF
country EEA

But if my phone had no band 20, 'three' wouldn't work? It works fine.

So is it some towers not supporting volte causing this problem? Or the phone. I am still confused.
 
This report is pretty conclusive on this topic.

As this thread has gone on a bit and in light of the report of known-good, I think it's worth confirming whether the bad device makes a cellular connection at all with the Smarty SIM?

Adding the list of supported devices, if this helps (other devices may work but just not be supported by the network service provider at the current time). https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/1463333-device-support

View attachment 7999
When speaking to smarty, at no point did they say my phone wasn't supported. In fact, they said that if it works on 'three' network (which it does) then it will work on smarty. They went on to say that if the phone supports 4G then it will work with Smarty.
 
When speaking to smarty, at no point did they say my phone wasn't supported. In fact, they said that if it works on 'three' network (which it does) then it will work on smarty. They went on to say that if the phone supports 4G then it will work with Smarty.
Does the Honor Magic 5 Pro make a cellular connection to Smarty's network?

Is there any nearby retailer or Three store who stock the same device that would allow you to test the Smarty SIM to see if it makes a cellular connection in an identical device? (This may actually test the nearby mast and if theirs makes a connection, one would expect the bad device should also connect to the same mast.)

A SIM doesn't require an active plan or contract in order to make a cellular connection to a network.
 
Does the Honor Magic 5 Pro make a cellular connection to Smarty's network?

Is there any nearby retailer or Three store who stock the same device that would allow you to test the Smarty SIM to see if it makes a cellular connection in an identical device? (This may actually test the nearby mast and if theirs makes a connection, one would expect the bad device should also connect to the same mast.)

A SIM doesn't require an active plan or contract in order to make a cellular connection to a network.
It does get a connection but not in my house (it should) I have to drive a bit and then It'll pick up "H" connection. A few days ago I drove on the motorway and noticed it randomly picks up 5G and 4G (before I enabled WiFi calling) but loses the connection within seconds.

I'm not sure if I can go to a three store. But another member in here said their magic5 pro works fine on smarty.
 
Top
Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Vodafone UK ISP Logo
Vodafone £24.00 - 26.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
NOW UK ISP Logo
NOW £24.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
Plusnet UK ISP Logo
Plusnet £25.99
145Mbps
Gift: £50 Reward Card
Large Availability | View All
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
Gigaclear UK ISP Logo
Gigaclear £17.00
200Mbps
Gift: None
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Hey! Broadband UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Youfibre UK ISP Logo
Youfibre £23.99
150Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
Sponsored Links
The Top 15 Category Tags
  1. FTTP (6027)
  2. BT (3639)
  3. Politics (2721)
  4. Business (2440)
  5. Openreach (2405)
  6. Building Digital UK (2330)
  7. Mobile Broadband (2146)
  8. FTTC (2083)
  9. Statistics (1901)
  10. 4G (1816)
  11. Virgin Media (1764)
  12. Ofcom Regulation (1582)
  13. Fibre Optic (1467)
  14. Wireless Internet (1462)
  15. 5G (1407)
Sponsored

Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved - Terms  ,  Privacy and Cookie Policy  ,  Links  ,  Website Rules