VoLTE and the 3G Network Shutdown: What You Need to Know
As mobile technology continues to evolve, older 3G networks across Canada are being phased out to make way for faster, more reliable services like 4G LTE and 5G. This change may affect some devices, especially those that don’t support VoLTE (Voice over LTE).
Rogers will officially retire its 3G network on July 31, 2025. If your device connects to Rogers towers and isn’t VoLTE-compatible, you may experience issues with calls, texts, or data. Some customers may still have service if their device connects through Execulink/Bell towers, but Bell also plans to retire its 3G network in the near future. This means that eventually, all 3G-only devices will lose service across these networks.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to make sure your phone continues to work as expected.
What Is VoLTE?
VoLTE stands for Voice over LTE. It allows you to make phone calls using the LTE (4G) network instead of older 3G networks.
With VoLTE, you’ll enjoy:
- Clearer call quality
- Faster call connections
- Better data speeds
Will This Affect Me?
This update applies to you if:
- You’re using an older phone that does not support VoLTE
- You haven’t yet enabled VoLTE on your phone
If either of these applies, you may experience:
- Inability to make or receive voice calls
- Dropped calls
- Issues using mobile data and sms
Make sure your phone is set to automatically select a network.
To avoid service issues after the 3G network shutdown, your phone should be set to automatically choose the best available network. This allows your device to switch to another compatible tower if one becomes unavailable.
To set your device to automatically select your network follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & Internet or Connections.
- Select Mobile Networks.
- Tap Network or Network Operators.
If you don’t see this option, try expanding the section by tapping Advanced. - Some phones will allow you to tap an option like Select Automatically but others may give a warning like It will disconnect data services temporarily. Are you sure?. Either way, a search should be started.
- Tap on the option for Automatic / Auto
Check if Your Phone Supports VoLTE
To avoid service interruptions, your device needs to support VoLTE. See below for a list of compatible devices and check if your phone is included.
Alcatel
- Go Flip 3
Apple (iPhone Series)
- iPhone 6S / 6S Plus
- iPhone 7 / 7 Plus
- iPhone 8 / 8 Plus
- iPhone X / XR / XS / XS Max
- iPhone SE
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 / 12 Mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 / 13 Mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 / 16e / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max
Google (Pixel Series)
- Pixel 3 / 3 XL
- Pixel 3a / 3a XL
- Pixel 4 / 4 XL
- Pixel 4a / 4a (5G)
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 6 / 6 Pro / 6a
- Pixel 7 / 7a / 7 Pro
- Pixel 8 / 8a / 8 Pro
- Pixel 9 / 9a / 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL / 9 Pro Fold
Huawei
- Mate 20 Pro
- P30 / P30 Pro
- P40 / P40 Pro
LG
- Velvet 5G
- K41S
- K61
Motorola
- Edge (2023, 2024)
- Moto E (2020)
- Moto E6
- Moto G7 / G7 Play
- Moto G Play (2023, 2024)
- Moto G Power (2021)
- Moto G Pure
- Moto G Stylus
- Moto G Stylus 5G (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
- Moto G 5G (standard, 2023, 2024, 2025)
- Moto One 5G Ace
- Moto One Hyper
- Moto Razr+ (2023, 2024)
- Moto Razr (2025)
- Moto Z4
Nokia
- Nokia 3.4
Samsung
Galaxy A Series
- A03S
- A12
- A13 5G
- A14 5G
- A15 5G
- A16 5G
- A21
- A32 5G
- A35 5G
- A36 5G
- A51
- A52 5G
- A53 5G
- A54 5G
- A56 5G
- A71
Galaxy S Series
- S10 / S10+ / S10E
- S20 5G / S20+ 5G / S20 FE 5G / S20 Ultra 5G
- S21 5G / S21+ 5G / S21 FE 5G / S21 Ultra 5G
- S22 5G / S22+ 5G / S22 Ultra 5G
- S23 / S23 FE / S23+ / S23 Ultra
- S24 / S24 FE / S24+ / S24 Ultra
- S25 / S25+ / S25 Edge / S25 Ultra
Galaxy Note Series
- Note10+
- Note20 5G
- Note20 Ultra 5G
Galaxy Z Series
- Z Flip / Z Flip 5G
- Z Flip3 5G / Z Flip4 / Z Flip5 / Z Flip6 / Z Flip7
- Z Fold2 5G / Z Fold3 5G / Z Fold4 / Z Fold5 / Z Fold6 / Z Fold7
Other Samsung Devices
- Galaxy XCover6 Pro
TCL
- TCL Flip
- 20 Pro 5G
- 20S
- 30 5G
- 30 XE 5G
- 40 XE 5G
- 50 XE 5G
- 60 XE 5G
How to Enable VoLTE on Your Phone
If your device supports VoLTE, it may still need to be turned on. Here’s how to enable it:
For iPhone
- Go to Settings
- Tap Cellular or Mobile Data
- Tap Cellular Data Options
- Tap Voice & Data
- Select LTE or 4G, VoLTE On
For Android (steps may vary slightly)
- Open your Settings
- Tap Connections or Network & Internet
- Select Mobile Networks
- Toggle VoLTE Calls or Enhanced 4G LTE Mode to ON
Not seeing the option? Make sure your phone’s software is up to date.
Need a New Phone?
If your current device does not support VoLTE, you may need to explore options for a newer, compatible phone through a third-party retailer or your device manufacturer.
Still have questions?
We are here to help! Reach out to our team anytime at 1.877.393.2854, customercare@execulinktelecom.ca or via live chat. We are happy to guide you through this change and make sure you stay confidently connected.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as these network improvements take place.