Which basic phones can make calls on which network
A simple phone needs either the network's 2G service or 4G calling (VoLTE) to make calls. 3G is gone or going, 2G is being switched off, and some networks never had it. We checked 5 phones sold in Australia against 16 networks.
The short version
- 0 of 5 phones are confirmed to make calls over 4G on all 3 big networks, so they'll keep working when 2G is switched off.
- Optus: 1 of 5 make calls, 1 of them over 4G. Optus switched off 2G on 1 August 2017 (April 2017 in WA and the NT), and began switching off 3G on 28 October 2024.
- Telstra: 3 of 5 make calls, 3 of them over 4G. Telstra switched off 2G on 1 December 2016 and 3G on 28 October 2024.
- Vodafone: 0 of 5 make calls. Vodafone (TPG Telecom) switched off 2G in 2018 and 3G in January 2024.
Last checked 16 October 2026. Smaller networks use their host's masts but keep their own 4G calling lists, so they can differ from the host. How we check · Download the data (CSV)
- 4G calls
- Makes calls over 4G. Unaffected when 2G is switched off.
- 2G only
- Makes calls today using 2G. Stops when the network switches 2G off, unless it gets 4G calling.
- Not confirmed
- We can't confirm it makes calls on this network, so we don't recommend it there.
- No calls
- Based on its specs, it can't make calls on this network.
Phones we don't yet know enough about aren't in the table. You're welcome to use this data with a link back to this page.