Why a text goes through better than a call
A phone call occupies a network line continuously, for its whole duration. A text message, on the other hand, only needs the network for the very brief time it takes to be sent. On a network saturated by a surge of calls (a disaster, a massive gathering), a text therefore has statistically more chance of getting through, even if it can take several minutes to arrive.
Reflex to remember: if a call doesn't go through, try a text before insisting on the call.
The ladder of solutions
| Solution | What it offers, and its limit |
|---|---|
| Text message | Often goes through when a call doesn't. Still needs a minimum of network. |
| Agreed meeting point | Depends on no technology. See your family safety plan. |
| Battery radio | Receives official instructions without mobile network. Can't be used to reply. |
| PMR446 walkie-talkie | Works without network or subscription, over a limited range. See our dedicated guide. |
| Meshtastic network | Devices that relay messages from one to the next, without network or subscription. See our dedicated guide. |
Each solution has a different range and reliability: none fully replaces the others, they complement each other.
The 112, even without your own carrier's network
The European emergency number 112 can go through via any locally available carrier's network, even if it's not your own subscription's, as long as a tower is receiving nearby. It doesn't work, however, if there's no mobile network at all in the area.
What's decided before, not during
The best preparation for a network outage happens calmly beforehand, not on the day it happens:
- A meeting point known to everyone, written into your family plan.
- A contact outside the area, that anyone can call if local lines are saturated.
- Understanding FR-Alert, the state alert system, which works without registration or app.
- A battery managed smartly (see our dedicated guide), so you're not left without a phone at the worst moment.
Mistakes to avoid
- Insisting on calls when the network is saturated, rather than trying a text.
- Having no planned meeting point, betting everything on technology.
- Draining your battery trying to call repeatedly with no network.
- Relying on a single solution. Text, meeting point and radio complement each other, they don't replace each other.
A contact point decided before, not during
LASTLINE can help you prepare your communication plan before it's needed:
- save your meeting point and emergency contacts;
- send an SOS with your location and a ready-to-send text to your relatives;
- relay messages via LASTLINE Connect, with a compatible Meshtastic device (since version 1.0.1).
The SOS needs mobile network to be sent. LASTLINE Connect, on the other hand, depends on a Meshtastic device and the number of nearby devices.
Prepare my contact planFrequently asked questions
Why does a text go through when a call doesn't?
A call occupies the network continuously for its whole duration, while a text only uses the network for an instant to be sent. On a saturated network, a text therefore has a better chance of getting through, even if it may be delayed by a few minutes.
Does the emergency number work without your own carrier's network?
The European emergency number 112 can go through via any locally available carrier's network, even if it's not your own subscription's, as long as a tower is receiving nearby. It doesn't work if there's no mobile network at all in the area.
What's the most reliable solution with no network at all?
A meeting point agreed in advance remains the most reliable solution: it depends on no technology. Next come a battery radio for official instructions, then technical solutions like a PMR446 walkie-talkie for short distances.
Sources
- FR-Alert (SGDSN / Ministry of the Interior), Frequently asked questions.