Moto G Power (2020) Phone App/Calling Randomly Stops Working

[Spec_tech]

Hi everyone. I have a 2020 Moto G Power that uses the Verizon LTE network but is unlocked and on a Straight Talk plan. I bought it used and it has Android 11 on it. Build number is RPMS31.Q1-54-13-6 and is all stock, but it just had a security update overnight, so not the same that i've been having the issue on.

The problem I'm having with the phone is that I noticed that calling will randomly not work. I'll try to make a call, there will be no audible sounds on the handset like the normal ringing or anything, and the call will just hang up after a few seconds. I've been fixing it temporarily by rebooting the phone and it starts working after it comes up.

The issue appears to be either with the whole phone, or just the Phone app/calling in general. I only ever checked the calling function before trying to mitigate it with a reboot.

Has anybody heard of this kind of issue, know what might be causing it, or know any steps to troubleshoot it or permanently fix it?

 

[Dannydet]

The issue is with your carrier and cellular coverage, not the phone app

 

[Spec_tech]

The issue is with your carrier and cellular coverage, not the phone app

I can see maybe a carrier issue, but don't think it's the cellular coverage/signal. I've made many calls before from the same areas in my house with no issues.

Do you know of any ways to tell if it's a carrier issue versus an issue with the phone/app? It seems odd that the issue goes away after the phone is rebooted, unless my carrier only has an issue in that exact timeframe.

 

[puppykickr]

It sounds like you might be expwriencing a type of throttling by Verizon.

As Straight Talk is renting tower space from Verizon, during busy times Verizon will give preferential service to their own customers at the expense of other carriers renting from them.

This issue can be more apparent when Verizon is still using their antiquated (for some time) CDMA cellular system, as it can support less users than the TDMA/GMS system that AT&T (and who rents from them) use.