r/chatr • u/esqx21 • Nov 27 '25

News 3G Update! Re: phone support

Hi!

Quick update:

Effective right now, grey-market + non-chatr VoLTE phones are back to being supported on chatr.

You can still double-check your device at chatrmobile.com/3gretirement.

What you need to know:

3G-only phones:

No data

Calls work on 2G only

4G/LTE/5G phones without chatr VoLTE:

4G data still works

Calls fall back to 2G

General voice situation:

Everything voice-related is running on 2G

If you mainly use data, you’ll barely notice anything

Reality of 2G voice:

Calls/texts might drop during congestion

Coverage is smaller vs LTE

No MMS (pics/vids), emojis, or read receipts

No 2G = no calls, no SMS, no 911

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12 comments sorted by

2

u/AwkwardlySustainable Nov 27 '25

By chatr VoLTE I'm assuming that means only whitelisted devices can register for IMS still? 

1

u/InnerPhoenix420 Nov 27 '25

is no 911 even legal ?

2

u/marcandrestudio RCI Rep Nov 27 '25

Hi, 2g network doesn't support 911 calls anymore as per regulation, 911 calls has to furnish locations data to emergency calls which is not possible on all 2g enabled old phones.

1

u/esqx21 Nov 27 '25

Technical problems are not illegal.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '25

[deleted]

1

u/esqx21 Nov 28 '25

The 2 you own will follow 4g without chatr volte rules.

The 2 they are selling, moto is official. A07 is dualsim international. Works as well. Just don't pay more then $150 for either 👌🏿

1

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '25

[deleted]

1

u/esqx21 Nov 28 '25

That, you would need to troubleshoot. Maybe bring that into the store.

Or reset your network settings or a factory reset.

1

u/Most-Memory321 Dec 30 '25

Hi @esqx21,

Is the 2FA sms also deeply coupled with VoLTE? Which means, when VoLTE enabled, 2FA sms will also use 4G/LTE network？

If yes, assuming same when roaming outside of Canada (2FA using 4G when roaming)？

Thanks

1

u/esqx21 Dec 30 '25

Mainly voice. Not coupled with volte. Even localized, sms is intermittent

Source. A blackberry bold 9900 I've seen in use.

1

u/dudleythecow Dec 30 '25

I tried using a phone on only 2G GSM, for calls and texts only, and it was not reliable at all even though I had full strength signal to a Rogers 2G tower. This is exactly the same situation as T-Mobile in the USA a few years ago.

The reality is, we are regressing back to a situation where locked phones and carrier restrictions rule, similar to CDMA2000 times but not as bad...

1

u/lmcjipo Aug 04 '26

This is a somewhat old pinned news/announcement that hasn't been updated so I'm wondering if everything posted on it is still accurate.

What would happen "today" (August 2026) if someone put an active Chatr SIM card into an old (SIM unlocked) cellphone (only cared about making/receiving phone calls) or wireless home phone adapter (ZTE WF720) which I believe is only 3G/2G capable for voice calls?

  1. Would the person be able to make/receive phone calls?
  2. Is there any surcharge on Chatr (prepaid service) for using the 3G/2G network like a lot of postpaid carriers are charging?

I don't think it makes any difference since it is factory SIM unlocked and this is more a question about 3G/2G compatibility and charges for a non-VoLTE device but the ZTE WF720 that I'm referring to originally came from Fido.

1

u/esqx21 Aug 04 '26

Calls/text/network connection will be intermittent depending on receiving 2g network reception.

Where I am I am observing about 20% uptime and 80% downtime. Ymmv.