Pixels lack this calling feature in many markets, but there is a possible solution

Samsung and the GSMA announced a plan earlier this year to broadly enable VoLTE tech by default on Galaxy phones in many markets. This is a big deal as 3G networks are shutting down in many markets, and conventional phone calls rely on 3G or insecure 2G connections. So VoLTE will allow people to keep making calls when these networks are shuttered.

This announcement is pretty interesting because Google Pixel phones lack VoLTE in most countries around the world. In fact, Google generally restricts VoLTE on Pixels to markets where the phones are sold. That means Pixel owners in unsupported markets will either have to rely on insecure 2G networks or go without phone calls when 3G networks eventually shut down in their country. This could also be a major inconvenience if you’re traveling from the US or Europe to these unsupported markets. It would also be a pain if you’re importing your Pixel to an unsupported locale.

Could Pixels be next for wide VoLTE support?

That got me wondering whether another smartphone brand, like Google, could follow Samsung and team up with the GSMA to broadly enable VoLTE.

“Yes, our GSMA Industry Services team can provide these services to all device manufacturers,” GSMA representative Dan Thomas told Android Authority in response to an emailed query.

So, in theory, could Google, in particular, enable VoLTE in unsupported countries by working with the GSMA? And would the Pixel maker still need to work with carriers in these unsupported markets? I put these follow-up questions to Thomas:

That’s correct. We run (the) Network Settings Exchange, so that mobile network operators can upload their settings for VoLTE and so on. This means that device manufacturers can then come to one place to access the settings and provision on devices… rather than having to have conversations and do this with hundreds of mobile operators around the world.

The GSMA representative said this would allow Google to have an “open device” that allows VoLTE on any network. Thomas added that the Pixel maker could enable VoLTE and other associated settings via the Network Settings Exchange, a GSMA-recommended profile, or the OEM’s own default settings.

For what it’s worth, Samsung and the GSMA said earlier this year that Galaxy phones would get VoLTE by defaulting to the GSMA Profile #4 or #6 if a carrier didn’t upload its settings to the Network Settings Exchange.

We asked Google about the possibility of teaming up with the GSMA to broadly enable VoLTE on Pixels. The company confirmed receipt of the query but hasn’t issued a response at the time of publication. Either way, widespread VoLTE support would be a huge deal for Pixel owners who are traveling, and for people who imported their Pixels.