Vodacom Vo5G?

[DStvNothingOn]

Just out of interest, anyone know if Vodacom has any plans for Vo5G?

 

[Ockie]

I think for Vo5G or VoNR you need a standalone 5G network. The major networks like Vodacom and MTN only have Non Standalone networks at the moment. That is also why we are seeing a great download speed a lot of times, but the upload and latency is still pretty much what LTE would give you. For now VoLTE will have to do. And lets face it...even VoLTE was not a easy transition. If you did not buy the phone from the network you going to be wanting to use VoLTE on, it often would not work because the firmware did not support it etc.

 

[DStvNothingOn]

I’ve been running a few random field mode tests whenever I’m on 5G, and I’ve noticed they’re all 5G NSA. I was wondering if there are any Vodacom 5G SA (standalone) sites around, as I haven’t come across any so far.

I’m using iOS, so updates and support from Vodacom have generally been pretty good, but I’m keen to see how things progress once standalone 5G starts rolling out more widely.

I think for Vo5G or VoNR you need a standalone 5G network. The major networks like Vodacom and MTN only have Non Standalone networks at the moment. That is also why we are seeing a great download speed a lot of times, but the upload and latency is still pretty much what LTE would give you. For now VoLTE will have to do. And lets face it...even VoLTE was not a easy transition. If you did not buy the phone from the network you going to be wanting to use VoLTE on, it often would not work because the firmware did not support it etc.

 

[Hush9300]

How does one know if you’re using VoNR?

I know when VoLTE wasn’t available the 4G label would revert to 3G when on a call.

 

[Ockie]

Same way you know you are using VoLTE. Their will most likely be a icon for it next to your signal indicator.

 

[Hush9300]

Same way you know you are using VoLTE. Their will most likely be an icon for it next to your signal indicator.

There is no additional indicator on iPhone. When VoLTE is active the phone stays in 4G when on a call, when not it reverts to 3G.

If that criteria holds true for VoNR then it’s active on Vodacom because the 5G signal indicator remains when on a call. When calling from Afrihost on the same handset it reverts to 3G.

See attached pics. It’s also independent of 5G NSA because the Vodacom tower I’m connected to is exactly that.

Edit: Attached the MTN field results for Afrihost to demonstrate that I’m connected to a 5G network.

 

[Ockie]

Oh. Well that is iPhone for you then. Most Android's have a indicator. Below is mine on Samsung.

 

[DStvNothingOn]

I'm not sure if it will work with android but with iOS you can dial *3001#12345#* and go in to field test mode.
and you get the below read out - some test below from Vodafone UK so you can see NR.

How does one know if you’re using VoNR?

I know when VoLTE wasn’t available the 4G label would revert to 3G when on a call.