• Urges users to turn on 4G/LTE, VoLTE settings on their phones
• Consumers with older SIM cards told to upgrade for 4G support
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) advised mobile phone users on Thursday to adjust their network settings and adopt newer technologies, including Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE), Wi-Fi Calling, and VoWiFi, to improve their calling and mobile internet experience.
Responding to consumer complaints regarding unclear voice quality and connection delays on 4G and LTE calls, the telecom regulator recommended that users verify their handset network settings and activate the 4G/LTE option if it is not already switched on.
The authority urged consumers to enable VoLTE, Wi-Fi Calling and VoWiFi options on their phones, noting that the availability and use of these facilities depend on compatibility between the handset and the relevant mobile operator.
The guidance is primarily relevant to regions where 4G service is expanding following a recent spectrum auction.
According to the regulator, VoLTE enables voice calls over a 4G network, which improves voice quality and speeds up call connections. To benefit from the facility, however, the handset, the SIM card and the mobile operator must all support the technology.
For areas where mobile signals are weak, such as inside homes or in basements, the authority said Wi-Fi Calling and VoWiFi could be particularly useful.
VoWiFi technology makes Wi-Fi Calling work, allowing users to place calls over a Wi-Fi connection provided their handset and operator support the feature.
Users must enable the Wi-Fi Calling option in their phone settings and connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Consumers must also ensure that both their phone and SIM support 4G services. Because many older SIM cards do not support 4G or VoLTE, the regulator suggested that users upgrade their SIMs.
The 4G/LTE standard is the fourth-generation mobile network technology which offers faster mobile internet speeds than 3G.
Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026