When a mobile device exhibits the behavior of being able to send and receive text messages, but fails to complete or receive phone calls, the core issue typically resides within the voice network connectivity. This discrepancy suggests that the device maintains a functional data connection utilized for text messaging, while the pathway for voice communication is compromised. For example, a user might successfully send an SMS message, yet experience call failure when attempting to dial a phone number.
The ability to text despite call failure highlights the importance of understanding distinct network protocols. Text messages utilize the data network, often 4G LTE or 5G, while calls traditionally rely on a dedicated voice network (VoLTE) or older 3G networks. This situation underscores the benefits of having alternative communication methods available when primary voice channels are unavailable. Historically, this type of problem was more prevalent during network transitions, such as the shift from 2G/3G to 4G, or during times of network congestion.
