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LupinSuper

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#324708 16-May-2026 12:41
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My current, admittedly old, phone (oppo Reno2 that I got second hand specifically because it was VoLTE and VOWiFi capable) doesn't work on the VoLTE or VOWiFi network with Mighty. 

 

 

 

I didn't realise this for over a month - the last time I received an actual call being the day prior to the shut off.

 

I was ready to get a new one (and likely will still have to) when I realised I was pretty sure when I first got it while I was on 2Degrees short term (after my Kogan plan expired) that I had seen it say "VoLTE" on the signal, so double checked and confirmed its a NZ phone (from Spark), with VoLTE. It's just that the toggle switches don't appear unless the network has provisioned these to my phone. So I attempted to use the manufactures menu to turn it on (there, but the toggles are greyed out off), and then used Pixel IMS to force the switches on (they now appear in the manufactures menu as greyed out on). But no dice. 

 

 

 

I then attempted to use my Mighty SIM in my even older Samsung A530F which the 3G text from Kogan kept telling me was not going to work on VoLTE - no dice. And my even older Huawei 3i Nova. No Dice. BUT it did tell me something interesting - all my most recent calls ( a bit confusing because I'm not sure if they were on the Oppo or hte A530F, or on 2Degrees or One, and the last a day prior to the One shut off) showed in the menu of both phones as being made over VoLTE - implying not only had it been working, but that both older phones were also VoLTE capable. 

 

 

 

So the next logical thing was to stick my 2degrees sim in the Oppo of course (not 100% sure I had used it in this phone prior, but likely)... and now I have VOWifi as an option in the regular menu and it works (still no VoLTE though. Kogan SIM shown neither). So I try the 2degrees SIM in the A530F - and I have both VoLTE and VOWiFi where Kogan and Mighty show neither. (I don't have a Spark SIM - but I have found a few online suggestions that both will work on the Spark Network. I may even go get one just out of interest)

 

 

 

So suffice to say I am a little annoyed that I have two phones that it would seem do in fact have all the necessary hardware and software, yet don't work on specific networks because of something on their end rather than mine (despite many people saying that there are no specific "whitelists" or provisioning on NZ networks)

 

 

 

Anyway I would be perfectly happy with the Reno2, and likely only going to end up replacing it with something around the same age and specs (well, slightly newer) and frankly would rather save the money. My Mighty sub rolls over tomorrow and I am left wondering if I should just ditch it for a potential working Spark one (though price factor on an unlimited/high data plan may make this ultimately uneconomical), try another (seems Kogan is out - who would be my next choice. And suggest its One network related). Or get a new working phone (likely the only actual option). 

 

 

 

Interested to know if there actually is a solve. "Support" gives the same "advice" over and over - txt the 3G number - even after I point out it just tells me that they didn't test my model, and show them it is VoLTE capable. As well as if anyone actually knows why/how many (apparently thousands of) people have had to shell out for new phones that may have actually been capable.   

 

 

 

If not any suggestions for similar Spark network plans? Or phones that you have also found that should, but don't, work that I should avoid (it seems similar aged oppo models are up there, along with a few others) 


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tangerz
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  #3491499 16-May-2026 13:11
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Here we go again....

 

 

 

Volte is dependant on network? - Short answer - YES!

 

Volte is dependant on network? - Long answer - YES! But it is NOT due to anything any of the networks do, or have any control over. It is simply down to the MANUFACTURER of the phone as to weather it will work on any specific NZ network.




MaxineN
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  #3491500 16-May-2026 13:19
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tangerz:

 

Here we go again....

 

 

 

Volte is dependant on network? - Short answer - YES!

 

Volte is dependant on network? - Long answer - YES! But it is NOT due to anything any of the networks do, or have any control over. It is simply down to the MANUFACTURER of the phone as to weather it will work on any specific NZ network.

 

 

Huge disclaimer here... some devices were built specifically for the network so they would have features that other networks do not have due to no neutrality. At least during the era of the aforementioned phones from OPs attempts.

 

Both OPs phones are fine examples... One NZ didn't sell either of those and they're also very old. That was a different time... this is now and now is more important.

 


OP needs to upgrade. Simple answer.





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tangerz
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  #3491501 16-May-2026 13:21
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MaxineN:

 

tangerz:

 

Here we go again....

 

 

 

Volte is dependant on network? - Short answer - YES!

 

Volte is dependant on network? - Long answer - YES! But it is NOT due to anything any of the networks do, or have any control over. It is simply down to the MANUFACTURER of the phone as to weather it will work on any specific NZ network.

 

 

Huge disclaimer here... some devices were built specifically for the network so they would have features that other networks do not have due to no neutrality. At least during the era of the aforementioned phones from OPs attempts.

 

Both OPs phones are fine examples... One NZ didn't sell either of those and they're also very old. That was a different time... this is now and now is more important.

 


OP needs to upgrade. Simple answer.

 

 

True... I should have considered that... That said, even back then, (and I would argue even today), if you buy a phone from Spark expecting it to work on One NZ, it's not Sparks fault it doesn't work on One NZ, (as it works on the Spark network), and it's not One NZ's fault either as the phone is not supplied by them so they have no responsibility for it's functioning on their network.

 

And if a person buys a phone from XYZInc that was a parallel import from China because it was super cheap and said it does VoLTE and VoWiFi and it doesn't work in NZ?!? That's entirely on them...




yitz
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  #3491506 16-May-2026 13:51
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Is a One NZ SIM worth trying here? I think Mighty Mobile is on 029 number range so maybe a different IMSI range too. But yeah go ahead OP and try the Spark and why not Skinny as well - with those two I think you need to call a number to activate on prepay anyway so you'll know straight away.


MaxineN
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  #3491507 16-May-2026 13:54
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yitz:

 

Is a One NZ SIM worth trying here? 

 

 

Not really.

 

One NZ does not officially support both devices. The only grasping straw here is that VoLTE failed to provision right from the start(which can happen) and nobody noticed because 3G calling worked until it was turned off. Even if VoLTE was provisioned... OP is still running handsets One NZ does not support.

 

In fact I will double down and say both of these handsets(the Reno2 and the A8) were 2D sourced so OP's only option without upgrading is sticking with 2D.

 





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RunningMan
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  #3491509 16-May-2026 14:11
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LupinSuper:[snip]

 

So suffice to say I am a little annoyed that I have two phones that it would seem do in fact have all the necessary hardware and software, yet don't work on specific networks because of something on their end rather than mine 

 

Nope, it's your end. Your phone does not have the configuration on board to communicate with your chosen network.


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yitz
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  #3491519 16-May-2026 14:45
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MaxineN:

 

One NZ does not officially support both devices. 

 

 

My thinking is One NZ has largest range of support for VoLTE on 2019 phones out of all the NZ carriers considering they were part of Vodafone group at the time.


MaxineN
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  #3491521 16-May-2026 14:47
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yitz:

 

MaxineN:

 

One NZ does not officially support both devices. 

 

 

My thinking is One NZ has largest range of support for VoLTE on 2019 phones out of all the NZ carriers considering they were part of Vodafone group at the time.

 

 

Not if those handsets were not ranged by the providers. Fun fact... the Galaxy S9 has some fun behavior depending on the CSC loaded. If you want neutrality then I'm afraid that didn't happen until maybe 4-5 years ago.





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Want broadband cheap and made for tech enthusiasts? Go look over at Quic. Use R177510EBNVXP for free setup at check out.


Oblivian
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  #3491522 16-May-2026 14:51
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This about sums it up for the last 3-4 years?


MaxineN
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  #3491523 16-May-2026 14:53
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Oblivian:

 

This about sums it up for the last 3-4 years?

 

 

 

 

Pretty much.





Ramblings from a mysterious lady who's into tech. Warning I may often create zingers.

 

Want broadband cheap and made for tech enthusiasts? Go look over at Quic. Use R177510EBNVXP for free setup at check out.


yitz
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  #3491528 16-May-2026 16:15
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Well... based on that flow chart...

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20200219042836mp_/https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile/oppo/ 
The above archived page shows OPPO Reno2 was ranged by Spark NZ alongside A9 2020 and AX5s

 

Curiously missing from Spark's Device compatibility page though...
https://www.spark.co.nz/help/mobile/device-help/device_compatibility_list/ 

 

A9 2020 - VoLTE yes
AX5s - VoLTE - (no)
Reno2 ??


 
 
 

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ANglEAUT
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  #3491675 17-May-2026 05:55
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RunningMan:

 

LupinSuper:[snip]

 

So suffice to say I am a little annoyed that I have two phones that it would seem do in fact have all the necessary hardware and software, yet don't work on specific networks because of something on their end rather than mine 

 

Nope, it's your end. Your phone does not have the configuration on board to communicate with your chosen network.

 

 

Technically true that the problem is on the OP’s end, but it’s also something s/he can’t do much about. It’s on the OP’s end because of the phone manufacturer. Not the fault of the OP or network carrier.





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Linux
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#3491679 17-May-2026 07:09
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LupinSuper:

 

I didn't realise this for over a month - the last time I received an actual call being the day prior to the shut off.

 

 

@LupinSuper This bit blows my mind


RunningMan
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  #3491688 17-May-2026 08:55
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ANglEAUT:

 

Technically true that the problem is on the OP’s end, but it’s also something s/he can’t do much about. It’s on the OP’s end because of the phone manufacturer. Not the fault of the OP or network carrier.

 

 

Agreed, it's just the repeated (false) assertions that this is the carrier's fault, or the carrier has a blacklist, or the carrier will magically fix it if I find the right person, or the government blocked it etc. etc.

 

Every week or so there's a new thread on here in the same vein, usually where the poster hasn't read up on the previous threads or other info, but in this case the OP had read that info, but still didn't accept it.

 

LupinSuper:[snip]

 

So suffice to say I am a little annoyed that I have two phones that it would seem do in fact have all the necessary hardware and software, yet don't work on specific networks because of something on their end rather than mine (despite many people saying that there are no specific "whitelists" or provisioning on NZ networks)


yitz
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  #3491920 17-May-2026 15:46
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It really doesn't help though that even the telcos that sold the handset are on the fence:

 

https://fullflavour.nz/customer-support/voice-over-lte-faq 

 

What phones running on Spark support VoLTE?
...
As of 12/10/20:
...
The following phones (Samsung and OPPO) may also be eligible if they're sourced from Spark:
...
OPPO A9 2020
OPPO Reno2

 

Afaik they resell Spark so presumably that information is from Spark wholesale.


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