T-Mobile Customers May Need A New 4G VoLTE Phone By January 2022

Internal documents advise that T-Mobile will require many of its customers to buy new a new phone by January 2021. The documents, obtained by Android Constabulary, bespeak that phones that don't support 4G voice over LTE (VoLTE) features are on the chopping block. Later Jan 2021, devices that aren't compatible with that service on the network will stop working.

The change will also be coming to MVNO Metro by T-Mobile. And, presumably, it volition touch users on other MVNOs that are using T-Mobile's network. That would include companies such every bit Google Fi, Ting, Mint Mobile, and Consumer Cellular. For those who are on Sprint, the change won't be every bit damaging since its certification of devices has included a VoLTE requirement for several years now. Sprint explicitly blocks whatsoever device that hasn't been certified.

T-Mobile customers should start looking for a new phone now but shouldn't be caught off guard

T-Mobile isn't the only company that'southward forcing its customers over to new devices but it does at least appear improve-prepared for this. While the visitor currently allows on whatever device that's compatible with its network, that's going to modify. Every bit of August 4, no new activations will be possible if the telephone in question isn't certified to support 4G LTE and VoLTE. And upwardly until 2021, those devices previously activated will continue working.

All of the devices that the carrier currently offers, conversely, support the technology.

T-Mobile too plans to accomplish out to customers who volition need a new phone by 2021. Text letters detailing the change will beginning rolling out in "the near future." Those will make it only for those who are affected. But that doesn't hateful users will be getting any special discounts. The company will be advising front end-line workers to use its available BYOD tool to determine whether devices will work.

But workers take been told to utilise "existing device offers and pricing."

Why is T-Mobile doing this?

The move appears to be driven by like motivations to other carriers. Namely, that's to consolidate network bands to support current and upcoming technologies. That would hateful repurposing 2G and 3G bands to support 4G LTE and 5G. Then the motility will ultimately be good news for customers. T-Mobile and AT&T have both begun plans forth those lines and both are technically now offering nationwide 5G.