Difference between revisions of "PinePhone Carrier Support"

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{{warning|1=MMS doesn't currently work in any distro on the Pinephone without a script! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.}}
{{warning|1= MMS doesn't currently work in any Dsitribution on the PinePhone without a script! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.}}
{{warning|1=Call audio is currently bad quality as there is a clock mismatch from the modem to the mainboard. Using Megi's 5.9 kernel should solve this.}}
{{warning|1= Call audio is currently bad quality as there is a clock mismatch from the modem to the mainboard. Using Megi's 5.9 kernel should solve this.}}
{{hint|This page is incomplete, you're welcome to improve it.}}


This page contains hints on setting up cellular network connectivity for specific carriers.
This page contains hints on setting up cellular network connectivity for specific carriers.
For more general information, see [[PinePhone#Modem_and_carrier_support|Modem and carrier support]]. For the APN settings see [[PinePhone APN Settings]].
For more general information, see [[PinePhone#Modem_and_carrier_support|Modem and carrier support]]. For the APN settings see [[PinePhone APN Settings]].


= Carriers=  
= Carriers =
{{hint|This list is incomplete, you're welcome to improve it.}}
 
== AT&T ==
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page], AT&T's primary bands are 12 and 17 - 700ac and 700 MHz respectively. The PinePhone seems to work out-of-the-box with AT&T. Activating a SIM works. Calls and SMS messages work. VoLTE is as yet untested.
 
== Cricket Wireless ==
Cricket wireless is a MVNO that uses AT&T's network. VoLTE is fully supported and the PinePhone is considered a compatible device in the US by the carrier.
 
== SimpleMobile ==
SimpleMobile is a T-Mobile prepaid MVNO operating in the United States. 4G LTE, VoLTE, data, and SMS all work on the PinePhone after activation. Activation can be done online without extra software or assistance, go to https://www.simplemobile.com/activation/byopcollectsim and make sure you have your SIM card and IMEI ready.
 
== Sprint ==
Sprint is currently not supported due to unknown reasons. Any input regarding this issue is highly appreciated.


== T-Mobile ==
== T-Mobile ==
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
T-Mobile's primary frequency band for the United States is 12 (700ac MHz).
T-Mobile's primary frequency band for the United States is 12 (700ac MHz).
Line 16: Line 27:
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/t-mobile-united-states this page].
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/t-mobile-united-states this page].


While the Pinephone's modem does support all LTE bands that T-Mobile uses in the US (And is one of the best choices for band support with the Pinephone's modem in the US), VoLTE is still listed as "Under development" by the modem manufacturer. T-Mobile's system also does not list the Pinephone as a compatible device due to this lack of official VoLTE support. The modem is capable of working on T-Mobile with VoLTE support enabled "unofficially" however. (It's also very possible that the manufacturer of the modem will eventually add "official" support)
While the PinePhone's modem does support all LTE bands that T-Mobile uses in the US (And is one of the best choices for band support with the PinePhone's modem in the US), VoLTE is still listed as "Under development" by the modem manufacturer. T-Mobile's system also does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to this lack of official VoLTE support. The modem is capable of working on T-Mobile with VoLTE support enabled.
 
== SimpleMobile ==
 
SimpleMobile is a T-Mobile prepaid MVNO operating in the United States. 4G LTE, VoLTE, data, and SMS all work on the pinephone after activation. Activation can be done online without extra software or assistance, go to https://www.simplemobile.com/activation/byopcollectsim and make sure you have your SIM card and IMEI ready.
 
== Cricket Wireless ==
 
Cricket wireless is a MVNO that uses AT&T's network. VoLTE is fully supported and the pinephone is considered a compatible device in the US by the carrier.


== Verizon ==
== Verizon ==
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
Verizon's primary frequency band for the United States is 13 (700 MHz).
Verizon's primary frequency band for the United States is 13 (700 MHz).
Line 44: Line 46:
But the truth is that with any Verizon-Approved burner phone, you can activate a Verizon SIM and swap it into your PinePhone.
But the truth is that with any Verizon-Approved burner phone, you can activate a Verizon SIM and swap it into your PinePhone.
Verizon does not care about what IMEI your phone has at all once the SIM itself is activated. [https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/iPhone-X-Xr-Xs/Swapping-SIM-Cards/td-p/1129291][https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/Prepaid-Plans/swapping-sim-card-to-another-device/td-p/1001334][https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/My-Verizon/Swapping-Sim-Card-to-different-Device/td-p/1157544]
Verizon does not care about what IMEI your phone has at all once the SIM itself is activated. [https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/iPhone-X-Xr-Xs/Swapping-SIM-Cards/td-p/1129291][https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/Prepaid-Plans/swapping-sim-card-to-another-device/td-p/1001334][https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/My-Verizon/Swapping-Sim-Card-to-different-Device/td-p/1157544]
VoLTE also seems to work as well, calls sound a lot better after enabling it using the steps from [https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/PINE64_PinePhone_(pine64-pinephone)#VoLTE The postmarketOS Wiki].
== AT&T ==
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page], AT&T's primary bands are 12 and 17 - 700ac and 700 MHz respectively. The PinePhone seems to work out-of-the-box with AT&T. Activating a SIM works. Calls and SMS messages work. VoLTE is as yet untested.


= Issues =
= Issues =
 
Known issues:
The [https://www.frequencycheck.com/models FrequencyCheck model page]
* The [https://www.frequencycheck.com/models FrequencyCheck model page] does not list either Pine64 or the PinePhone.
does not list either Pine64 or the PinePhone.
* T-Mobile's system does not list the pinephone as a compatible device due to the lack of official VoLTE support from the manufacturer, despite the fact that it does work.
 
* MMS doesn't currently work in any distro on the pinephone by default. This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
T-Mobile's system does not list the pinephone as a compatible device due to the lack of official VoLTE support from the manufacturer, despite the fact that it does work.
* Some providers may allow only certain known devices identified by their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Allocation_Code Type Allocation Code].
 
MMS doesn't currently work in any distro on the pinephone by default. This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
 
https://github.com/smaeul/linux/commits/patch/sun8i-codec-1-new - WIP fix for audio mismatch


= Resources =
= Resources =
* IMEI - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity International Mobile Equipment Identity]
* IMEI - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity International Mobile Equipment Identity]


[[Category:PinePhone]]
[[Category:PinePhone]]

Revision as of 14:48, 11 October 2020

Warning: MMS doesn't currently work in any Dsitribution on the PinePhone without a script! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
Warning: Call audio is currently bad quality as there is a clock mismatch from the modem to the mainboard. Using Megi's 5.9 kernel should solve this.

This page contains hints on setting up cellular network connectivity for specific carriers. For more general information, see Modem and carrier support. For the APN settings see PinePhone APN Settings.

Carriers

This list is incomplete, you're welcome to improve it.

AT&T

According to this page, AT&T's primary bands are 12 and 17 - 700ac and 700 MHz respectively. The PinePhone seems to work out-of-the-box with AT&T. Activating a SIM works. Calls and SMS messages work. VoLTE is as yet untested.

Cricket Wireless

Cricket wireless is a MVNO that uses AT&T's network. VoLTE is fully supported and the PinePhone is considered a compatible device in the US by the carrier.

SimpleMobile

SimpleMobile is a T-Mobile prepaid MVNO operating in the United States. 4G LTE, VoLTE, data, and SMS all work on the PinePhone after activation. Activation can be done online without extra software or assistance, go to https://www.simplemobile.com/activation/byopcollectsim and make sure you have your SIM card and IMEI ready.

Sprint

Sprint is currently not supported due to unknown reasons. Any input regarding this issue is highly appreciated.

T-Mobile

According to this page, T-Mobile's primary frequency band for the United States is 12 (700ac MHz).

T-Mobile's bands and protocols are summarized on this page.

While the PinePhone's modem does support all LTE bands that T-Mobile uses in the US (And is one of the best choices for band support with the PinePhone's modem in the US), VoLTE is still listed as "Under development" by the modem manufacturer. T-Mobile's system also does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to this lack of official VoLTE support. The modem is capable of working on T-Mobile with VoLTE support enabled.

Verizon

According to this page, Verizon's primary frequency band for the United States is 13 (700 MHz).

Verizon's bands and protocols are summarized on this page. Verizon officially says:

This carrier only accepts approved devices on its network. Even if a device supports some or all of the required frequencies for this carrier, it will not be able to connect unless the device is approved for this network. Check with the network operator to confirm whether a device is approved or not.

But the truth is that with any Verizon-Approved burner phone, you can activate a Verizon SIM and swap it into your PinePhone. Verizon does not care about what IMEI your phone has at all once the SIM itself is activated. [1][2][3]

Issues

Known issues:

  • The FrequencyCheck model page does not list either Pine64 or the PinePhone.
  • T-Mobile's system does not list the pinephone as a compatible device due to the lack of official VoLTE support from the manufacturer, despite the fact that it does work.
  • MMS doesn't currently work in any distro on the pinephone by default. This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
  • Some providers may allow only certain known devices identified by their Type Allocation Code.

Resources