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I have a basic Tracfone flip-phone that I buy prepaid minutes for and it meets my needs just fine.
I just got a text from Tracfone directing me to their website.
There was a message saying that, due to their network changes, my phone will be outdated and lose service. I will need to buy a VoLTE-capable device.
Can anyone explain what this means and why it’s happening? If so, I’d appreciate it. I’m really trying to keep within a budget and keep my life as low-tech as possible. I don’t want a smart phone, I spend too much time on the internet as it is. Thanks, all.
VOLTE (Voice Over LTE) is the latest evolution or cellular phones/networks. CDMA and prior GSM networks are being replaced with VOLTE networks with all carriers over the next year or so. If you want to read more, just Google VOLTE for a more detailed description. The change won't take effect until the end of 2020 with Verizon-based networks/MVNO's. If you are not using a VOLTE device by then, it will no longer have service. This is not new and has been discussed many times in many threads in this forum and many other internet forums.
VOLTE (Voice Over LTE) is the latest evolution or cellular phones/networks. CDMA and prior GSM networks are being replaced with VOLTE networks with all carriers over the next year or so. If you want to read more, just Google VOLTE for a more detailed description. The change won't take effect until the end of 2020 with Verizon-based networks/MVNO's. If you are not using a VOLTE device by then, it will no longer have service. This is not new and has been discussed many times in many threads in this forum and many other internet forums.
Thanks for your answer. I don’t participate in forums about cell phones unless it’s necessary, like now.
I have a basic Tracfone flip-phone that I buy prepaid minutes for and it meets my needs just fine.
I just got a text from Tracfone directing me to their website.
There was a message saying that, due to their network changes, my phone will be outdated and lose service. I will need to buy a VoLTE-capable device.
Can anyone explain what this means and why it’s happening? If so, I’d appreciate it. I’m really trying to keep within a budget and keep my life as low-tech as possible. I don’t want a smart phone, I spend too much time on the internet as it is. Thanks, all.
Your phone is probably tied to the Verizon part of Tracfone's service, and Verizon is turning off their 3G non LTE signal/capability on December 31st, 2020. I have an LG slide phone (on one of my lines) with Verizon with the same type of signal you have, although mine is with Verizon directly. I'm grandfathered into a long ago discontinued unlimited $2 a day only charged on a day of use plan (almost identical to AT&T's current $2 per day plan). In 2018, I was notified that service would end on 12/31/19. Over this last summer I was notified that turning off this service had been postponed another year to 12/31/20. My expriration date is a few weeks before the end of the year so, just before my expiration date, I'm going to pay for another year for $99.99. That gives me essentially 50 unlimited use 24 hour periods over 365 calendar days as an incuded base...and anything unused rolls over. The Tracfone Basic Phone 'plan' that is most similar is 365 days of use with 400 included minutes, for $99.99. Even though you are getting the notice now, you can probably use your phone until 12/31/20, but you might have to extend your days of service in order to keep using that phone until the non LTE service going down forces you to migrate to another phone, which is likely on 12/31/20. However, I'd call Tracfone customer service...and visit a Tracfone retailer and ask both what the last day is that you can use that particular phone, and also ask what the cheapest alternative would be. They may be trying to get you to come in or call re a new phone earlier than you absolutely need to in order to make your account a greater generator of revenue.
^^^^^ They are still selling the same Basic Phone plans I've seen before. I'd imagine they'll still sell Basic Phone minutes past 12/31/2020 and, if that is the case, you'll need to get (at least) a Basic Phone that is LTE capable (which your current phone is likely not, re the message you received) to extend past when the non LTE signal is out of service.
I love trakfone but the new phones that can be purchased on line are almost free- no need to limit yourself or your phones capability
I am in the bring your own phone program -
I have the Apple se and pay $10 a month with trakfone which is a fraction of what apple users usually shell out every month
1. How is your response in any way helpful to me or anyone with a similar situation?
2. What does your post actually mean?
If your phone is obsolete get a new one, Geez, is that to hard to understand.? If you can’t afford to get a new phone, contact social services, they can help, at least that is this case in CA.
Your phone is probably tied to the Verizon part of Tracfone's service, and Verizon is turning off their 3G non LTE signal/capability on December 31st, 2020. I have an LG slide phone (on one of my lines) with Verizon with the same type of signal you have, although mine is with Verizon directly. I'm grandfathered into a long ago discontinued unlimited $2 a day only charged on a day of use plan (almost identical to AT&T's current $2 per day plan). In 2018, I was notified that service would end on 12/31/19. Over this last summer I was notified that turning off this service had been postponed another year to 12/31/20. My expriration date is a few weeks before the end of the year so, just before my expiration date, I'm going to pay for another year for $99.99. That gives me essentially 50 unlimited use 24 hour periods over 365 calendar days as an incuded base...and anything unused rolls over. The Tracfone Basic Phone 'plan' that is most similar is 365 days of use with 400 included minutes, for $99.99. Even though you are getting the notice now, you can probably use your phone until 12/31/20, but you might have to extend your days of service in order to keep using that phone until the non LTE service going down forces you to migrate to another phone, which is likely on 12/31/20. However, I'd call Tracfone customer service...and visit a Tracfone retailer and ask both what the last day is that you can use that particular phone, and also ask what the cheapest alternative would be. They may be trying to get you to come in or call re a new phone earlier than you absolutely need to in order to make your account a greater generator of revenue.
^^^^^ They are still selling the same Basic Phone plans I've seen before. I'd imagine they'll still sell Basic Phone minutes past 12/31/2020 and, if that is the case, you'll need to get (at least) a Basic Phone that is LTE capable (which your current phone is likely not, re the message you received) to extend past when the non LTE signal is out of service.
^^^Thank you very much for clarifying. This was the information I was looking for.
If your phone is obsolete get a new one, Geez, is that to hard to understand.? If you can’t afford to get a new phone, contact social services, they can help, at least that is this case in CA.
Bubba, I was/am, a social worker just like you...you don’t need to tell me about social services.
I guess you forgot “Start where the client is”?
I received the information that I sought, carry on.
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