[LINK] The Little Known Problems with VoLTE Emergency Calling

[Stephen Loosley]

The Little Known Problems with VoLTE Emergency Calling

By James Parker Sep 1, 2024
https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/the-little-known-problems-with-volte-emergency-calling-3d4cdaf0e042#7c97


IMPORTANT UPDATE: Based on recent changes to Australia’s ‘Emergency Call Service Determination’ from 1 November 2024 any handsets the carriers believe can’t call 000 (112) will be blocked from connecting!

This will impact devices that have been manually updated to work for VoLTE Calling and Emergency Calling as they aren’t ‘officially’ supported.

“Subsection 6(2) directs ACMA to include requirements for providers to identify mobile phones unable to access Triple Zero, notify the user, provide assistance if necessary to access an alternative mobile phone, and cease providing service to the affected device. Providers will also be required to not provide service to a prospective customer seeking service with an affected mobile phone. This requirement makes clear the responsibility providers have to ensure mobile networks provide access to the emergency call service.” [..] “The amendments to the Determination to be made under section 6(2) are to be determined and commence in full by 1 November 2024.”

Australian Communications and Media Authority (Emergency Call Service Determination) Direction 2024 — Explanatory Statement https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01103/asmade/text/explanatory-statement

More read more below (including Petition Link)!

4G Emergency Calling Testing

A device may support VoLTE Calling (IMS Registration) on a network but may not be able to successfully make calls to emergency numbers. The below instructions will allow you to test for 4G Emergency Calling support on most (Qualcomm Based) Android devices. (Android 8.0 & 9 Tested)

Note: Checking the ‘IMS Status’ in the Radio Info (4636) interface is not sufficient to check for Emergency Calling support.

Guide: How to Check for Working 4G VoLTE Calling on Android Handsets

Disclaimer: Testing is to be done at your own risk and refer to the relevant laws of your country before following these steps. Do Not make calls to Emergency Numbers unless you have a genuine emergency. The following information has no guarantees or warranties regarding the accuracy of the testing and is for educational purposes only. Emergency Calling networks and systems vary depending on country, available networks and devices settings. These instructions do not constitute an endorsement to perform these steps. This information has been provided solely in the interests of public safety & education.

How to Test for 4G Emergency Calling Support (Very Advanced)

Step 1: Download & Install the App “NetMonster” from the Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cz.mroczis.netmonster


Note: The use of NetMonster is not an endorsement or recommendation, other testing methods exist that do not require NetMonster. NetMonster provides additional Network Logging and Band Detection Indicators which make the testing process easier and less disruptive. The current version of NetMonster has adverts.

Step 2: Remove the Sim Card from your device.

This is to ensure the device can place anonymous emergency calls over 4G and ‘camp-on’ (‘roam’) to alternative networks.
Removing the sim also prevents a call back to your phone number as the caller id will be ‘anonymous’. You may also wish to temporarily disable ELS (Emergency Location Service) in the System Location Settings.

Note: On some devices removing the Sim Card will revert the device modem configuration to a Non-VoLTE enabled config. (e.g AU Retail — XZ Premium)

Some devices may only load a ‘VoLTE Calling & 4G Emergency Calling’ enabled modem configuration when a ‘supported’ carrier network sim card is inserted.

An unactivated ‘prepaid’ network sim card could be used to test for emergency calling support on these devices, however the device may still be unable to make anonymous emergency calls over 4G with no-sim. Some Telstra and Vodafone $2 sim cards will register VoLTE without an activated service.

See here and below to learn more about the modem configurations on devices.

Step 3: After Sim Removal/Device Restart Open ‘NetMonster’.  

... (snip)

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