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Activate VoLTE (Voice over LTE) on your mobile phone and use 4G calling – for the best call quality. What you need to know.
VoLTE stands for ‘Voice over Long-Term Evolution’ or ‘Voice over LTE’. With VoLTE, you make calls using the 4G/LTE mobile network.
Your benefits a glance:
VoLTE roaming – 4G calling abroad – works on devices running iOS 15 and later and Android 12, as long as the international mobile network operator is a Swisscom VoLTE roaming partner.
Virtually all smartphones from 2018 onwards are VoLTE-enabled. How can I check if my device supports VoLTE?
If you are unsure, ask your device manufacturer or carry out the following test: disconnect Wi-Fi on your phone. Your mobile phone supports VoLTE if the 4G/5G symbol is displayed at the top of your screen when you make (normal) calls.
Device compatibility can be checked using cockpit.swisscom.ch(opens in new tab) or by sending a free SMS to 444 with the keyword 3G.
To activate VoLTE on your mobile phone, go to Settings > Mobile networks > Activate VoLTE calls (instructions for iPhone). You can also disable VoLTE there.
VoLTE is mostly automatically activated on devices from 2020 (e.g. from iPhone 7) onwards.
Voice calls always cost the same amount, irrespective of the technology used. Therefore, VoLTE calls are billed as normal calls and in accordance with your current subscription. They are not treated as data connections.
Yes, VoLTE roaming works if your mobile phone supports VoLTE requirements and Swisscom’s roaming partner (international mobile network operator) supports VoLTE. The tariff check shows whether the roaming partner supports VoLTE.
The Swisscom network and most recent mobile phones support emergency calls over 4G/VoLTE. Swisscom now only offers devices capable of making emergency calls via VoLTE. For devices not purchased from Swisscom, you will need to clarify whether this is possible.
To make emergency calls over 4G, devices must support the following functionalities as per the GSMA standard (requirement NG. 119):
If the device does not support these functionalities, emergency calls cannot be made over the 4G network.
Mobile devices from the Swisscom portfolio are extensively tested, which allows us to provide a detailed assessment of the device functionalities. For devices that are not purchased from Swisscom, you will need to check with the device manufacturer as to whether the device supports calls and emergency calls over the 4G network.
The sales code defines the market in which the device is intended to be sold. If the device does not have the sales code SWC or AUT, some of the device features may not be approved or supported by the manufacturer for Switzerland. We have no influence on this as the provider.
To find the sales code, go to Settings About phone Software information and view the ‘Service provider software version’.