iPhone 13 - International calling issues on Movistar Spain

[Ssl22uk]

Hi,

Having an issue with my iPhone 13 and need some help. Currently in Costa Del Sol and on 5G, Movistar. When I make an international call, the phone jumps to 3G and the call fails. I have data roaming enabled and I’ve tried setting it to just 4G with VoLTE on and off. I have no issues with 5G or 4G data, it’s just when I need to make a conventional landline call it fails to work. Of 25 or so attempts, I made 3 calls. People can’t reach me either. 

Not very happy with the support from O2 as they quoted I should be on the latest iOS 10.4, which I pointed out is over 5 years old. They don’t seem familiar with the newer iPhone settings menu on iOS 15, quoting none existent menus. Website says to select 3G, but you can’t select 3G. 

When I cross into Gibraltar, all works fine and we’ve established I have the roaming bolt-on and no restrictions or spend caps. 

Help is appreciated as it’s driving me crazy. They’ve given up on the issue and blamed the overseas carrier. Have I exhausted all options? 

[MI5]

@Ssl22uk 

This does sound like a local carrier issue.

Try manually selecting a different network.

[Cleoriff]

@Ssl22uk 

What network are you on in Gibraltar? I travelled to the Costa Del Sol a lot and when I went to Gib was still on Movistar. Seems weird that it works properly when you are in Gibraltar.

[Ssl22uk]

Tried Orange and Vodafone but they don’t work. I thought this myself as I remember the earlier days of 4G to 3G transfer delay and it used to drop the calls. 🙄😂

[Ssl22uk]

It was on Gibtel whilst I was over the boarder. I had 4G for both data and calls and made several calls ok. 

Partner is ok on Movistar and can make and receive calls. Only difference is iPhone 12 and I’m 13. Data is fine it just didn’t seem to like 3G. 

[Cleoriff]

Ha. I'd forgotten about GibTel (which started in 1994). I must have been using that and never noticed. There again, I didn't have any issues with my phone whilst on the Costa Del Sol @Ssl22uk 

Obviously a local network issue then (which doesn't like the iPhone 13 for some strange reason?)

Just a suggestion...there are plenty of excellent Phone shops on the Costa Del Sol (Orange is the best I found) Take your phone in (with passport) and let them have a look. Most of their staff are English speaking.

[Ssl22uk]

Thanks @Cleoriff

O2 have contacted me today to say they have passed it to Network team to look at. They was reluctant until I pointed out it was Telefonica 🤣. 

I’ll get a cheap local pay phone card and use the data as normal . I’ll let you know what they say.

[Ssl22uk]

Same issue in Portugal. I’m going back next month and swapping the handset out. I’ve changed the SIM before I went on this visit but still couldn’t make or receive calls.