Say hello to VoLTE Calling

VoLTE calling is available wherever our 4G service is available. Check out where you can get 4G coverage: See the Skinny coverage map*

*We update our coverage maps on a 3-monthly basis. They might not reflect new coverage we have available today due to the timing of updates.

Here’s how you can see if you're making a call with VoLTE – be sure to turn off WiFi on your mobile first.

• Apple: For iPhone 6s and later, you’ll see “4G” in the status bar (top of your screen) when using VoLTE.
• Samsung: You'll see a small VoLTE icon in the status bar. While making a call you'll also see a small 'HD' icon on the screen.
• Huawei: You may see "HD" when the call is connected or has gone to voicemail and you won't see any icons while it's ringing. Otherwise, you’ll see a small VoLTE icon in the status bar. You should also see VoLTE written on the green dialer button when you make a call.
• OPPO: You'll see "VoLTE" in the status bar if you've turned on VoLTE.
• Nokia: You'll see "VoLTE" near the status bar when you pull down the notifications menu.
• Motorola: You'll see "VoLTE" in the status bar if you've turned on VoLTE.

To use VoLTE calling through Skinny, you just need three things:

1. A VoLTE capable device – check out the list of VoLTE capable devices below
2. VoLTE provisioned on your account - Skinny may automatically provision VoLTE on your account, if we can detect that you’re in RCG coverage (see ‘How do I know if I’m using VoLTE?’ FAQ)
3. VoLTE activated on the device - see ‘How do I get VoLTE calling on my phone?’ Check you have the latest software update on your phone before doing this. (Data charges apply to software updates installed using data, so we recommend downloading software updates over WiFi.)

You may be eligible for 4G HD Calling if you have one of the following phones:

Your device must be on the latest software version.

*: These phones must be sourced from Spark or Skinny to function with VoLTE

**: As these devices are not ranged by Spark or Skinny, we cannot guarantee they will work.

Eligibility

• If the phone is purchased from overseas it may not support VoLTE on our network – see ‘What if I purchased my VoLTE capable phone overseas?’ FAQ.

To use VoLTE calling with Skinny, you need three things:

1. A VoLTE capable device (see ‘Is my device VoLTE capable?’ FAQ)
2. VoLTE provisioned on your account - see step 4 below
3. VoLTE activated on the device - see step 3 below

Many new devices have VoLTE enabled by default and don’t have a setting to disable it,  but in some cases you’ll need to manually enable it using the steps below:

1. Make sure you’re on the Skinny mobile network.
2. Check that you’re using the latest software on your phone. (Data charges apply to software updates installed using data, so we recommend downloading software updates over WiFi).
   • Apple iPhone: Settings > General > About Device > Software Update
   • Huawei: Settings > System > Software Update > Check for Updates
   • Motorola: Settings > System updates > Check for updates
     
   • Nokia: Settings > System > Advanced > System Update
   • OPPO: Settings > Software Updates
     
   • Samsung: Settings > Software Update > Download and install
   •  
3. Switch VoLTE on in your phone settings.
   • Apple iPhone:
     • No active eSIM: Go to Settings > Mobile > Mobile Data Options > Voice & Data. Choose 4G, VoLTE On
     • Active eSIM: Go to Settings > Mobile > Select SIM > Voice & Data. Choose 4G, VoLTE On
   • Samsung: Tap Settings > Connections > Mobile networks. Toggle VoLTE calls
   • Huawei: Tap Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Network. Toggle VoLTE calls
   • OPPO: Tap Settings > Dual SIM (or ‘SIM card and mobile data on single SIM models) & Cellular Network. Choose SIM 1 or SIM 2 (just SIM on single SIM phones). Toggle VoLTE Calls
   • Nokia: Tap Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced. Toggle Enhanced 4G LTE Mode
   • Motorola: Settings > Mobile network > Mobile data. Toggle VoLTE calls
4. If for some reason VoLTE still isn’t working after trying the above, feel free to contact us and our Care team can look into it further.

Note: Some of the above instructions may differ slightly for each model. If you’re having trouble, look under mobile settings in your settings menu.  If you’d like to disable VoLTE calling for any reason, simple just reverse the above steps.

If your phone doesn’t support VoLTE but is 4G capable, you’ll see service bars at the top of your phone and be able to use data and text, but you won't be able to make traditional voice calls in areas where there’s no 3G available, including to emergency services. 3G is widely available across New Zealand currently but will be closed down in 2025. Some rural areas have 4G-only coverage.

If you do still need to be able to make VoLTE calls, you may need to change your device. Check out the device list in the FAQ ‘Will my device work with VoLTE calling on Skinny?’

If your phone hasn’t been tested in NZ, VoLTE might not work correctly. This is because some manufacturers don't enable VoLTE for all operators/carriers. If you want to try enabling VoLTE, check out the steps in the ‘How do I activate VoLTE calling on my phone?’ FAQ

Yes! VoLTE calls don’t use data and are charged either per minute or as part of your plan the same way as traditional voice calls. If data is switched off on your phone, you can still make and receive VoLTE calls. As usual, you won’t be able to browse the internet while your data connection is switched off.

If you have a VoLTE capable phone, but aren’t using VoLTE, see ‘How do I activate VoLTE calling on my phone?’ FAQ.

Yes! You can call anyone using VoLTE, including your friends and family that are on 3G Voice or other networks.

For the best high-definition VoLTE calling experience, both the caller and receiver must be using VoLTE enabled devices.

Yes! When you’re with Skinny, activating VoLTE has no additional cost. Voice, text and data usage will still incur charges on your mobile plan as usual.

The Spark 3G network (which Skinny uses) is still being operated in most parts of the country, however some rural areas have 4G-only. Our 3G network will be shut down in 2025.

Yes, emergency calling on a VoLTE capable device is supported when in coverage. Your call will be carried over the best available network at the time to the emergency services operators. If your phone isn’t VoLTE capable and compatible and you’re in a 4G-only coverage area, you won’t be able to use it to phone emergency services.

Service bars at the top of your screen reflect the strength of the mobile coverage available to you. If you’re in a 4G-only coverage area and can’t make or receive a call, it’s likely that you don’t have VoLTE functioning on your device even though you can see service bars. If your phone is 4G capable, you’ll be able to use data and send and receive texts without VoLTE.

Note: Not all 4G capable phones are also VoLTE capable.

If you’re connected to a 4G only RCG tower and someone calls you the network will instruct your phone to drop to 3G for the call (this is known as 3G or circuit-switched fallback). Your phone should continue to make and receive calls in locations where it worked prior to the RCG site being activated.

If your phone is listed under ‘Is my device VoLTE capable?’ but you still can’t make or receive voice calls, it could be because of one of the reasons below:

• VoLTE is not enabled on your device, or you need to update your device software
• VoLTE has not been provisioned on your mobile account by Skinny
• If your phone is not from Spark or Skinny, or you purchased it overseas, your phone may not work with VoLTE on the network – if you want to try enabling VoLTE, check out the FAQ ‘How do I activate VoLTE calling on my phone?’
• You have no coverage where you are

No, VoLTE Calling does not use your data from your plan.

No, using VoLTE Calling won't affect your wireless broadband. You won’t experience slow-downs or data dropouts when making or receiving calls using VoLTE.

The RCG programme’s main focus is on connecting rural addresses that previously had no option for getting internet at home. The new cell towers are strategically built to reach these addresses and provide new coverage that allows those in rural areas to connect to wireless home broadband. Wireless broadband uses the 4G network, so most RCG sites are 4G-only. This also means new 4G mobile coverage is available in these areas which customers can use when on the go – it’s an awesome benefit, but isn’t the aim of the programme.