Troubleshooting Airtel VoLTE Issues and Video Calling Capabilities

The inability to make direct video calls using an Airtel SIM, despite the availability of VoLTE, can indeed be perplexing. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding the nuances of VoLTE and video calling with Airtel SIMs, as well as address some common issues faced by users.

Understanding the Issue with Airtel SIMs

There is no inherent issue with your mobile phone. The key distinction lies in the service provider and the billing structure associated with video calling. Jio, for example, offers free video calling between Jio users, whereas Airtel requires a separate recharge to enable video calling functionality.

Are Other SIMs Working?

If you and your Aunt are able to make direct video calls using a Jio SIM, but not with an Airtel SIM, it is likely a matter of billing rather than a technical limitation. However, if your Aunt's Airtel SIM also shows the VoLTE symbol, the issue might lie elsewhere.

Phone and VoLTE Compatibility

The Android phone model plays a crucial role in VoLTE and video calling capabilities. If your Android smartphone is from 2018 October onwards, it supports VoLTE. In this case, you need to contact Airtel to enable VoLTE on your SIM. Once enabled, the VoLTE symbol should appear on your Airtel SIM within a few hours.

If your smartphone is older and not supported by Airtel VoLTE, you might need to consider upgrading to a 2020-supported model. For example, your Aunt's Samsung J1 18 GB with Android 5.1.1 does not support VoLTE for Airtel calls, even though it does for Vodafone and Jio.

VoLTE and Data Pack Issues

For Airtel and Vodafone VoLTE to work, there must be a data pack in the SIM, even if mobile data is turned off. Without a data pack, VoLTE will not function. This is an important consideration when trying to make VoLTE calls or video calls.

Updates and Recent Experiences

Recently, redmi 9 Prime and 9A smartphones have shown excellent VoLTE and Vo-WiFi capabilities, both with Airtel and Jio SIMs. Similarly, a Samsung Galaxy A2 Core, although lacking dual 4G VoLTE, supports Airtel VoLTE and Vo-WiFi, making it a viable option for users.

However, it is worth noting that not all operators support Vo-WiFi in all regions. For instance, Vi (Vodafone Idea) has not yet started Vo-WiFi in Delhi NCR, so its SIMs work only with VoLTE.

Conclusion

The inability to make direct video calls with an Airtel SIM is often more of a service and billing-related issue rather than a phone or network issue. Ensuring that you have a compatible phone and that your SIM has the necessary data pack is crucial. Contacting Airtel to enable VoLTE and checking the supported features of your SIM can help resolve the issue.